1887.1 PROCEEDINGS OF UNTITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 187 



Taxidea americaua (Bodila'it). Americau lUuhjcr. 



The Badger is a common species in the Saci'ameuto Valley aiul ou the 

 plains of Northeastern California. My own experience with this retiring;' 

 animal accords with that of other travelers through regions when^ it 

 abounds. Its omnipresent burrow furnishes unmistakable evidence oC 

 its i)resencc, but theaninuil itself is not often seen. The only one I saw 

 was a young one, 7 or 8 inches in length, which was killed on a- ranch 

 near Red Bluff, onlMarchlo. It was yellowish cottony white, with the 

 characteristic dark feet and striped head of the species, the markings, 

 however, being rather faint. 



Putorius vison (Sclireber). American Mlnlc. 



Common throughout the region. Mink skins were often seen in the 

 possession of the Indians of McOloud Eiver, by whom the animal is 

 called Bas sooh'. We had live Minks at different times at the Fisheries, 

 but they never seemed to thrive. It is not im])robable, however, that 

 they died from wounds received in trapping. 



Putorius brasilieusis frenatus (Sewast.). Bridled Weasel. 



I was told of the frequent occurrence of weasels in iSTorthern Califor- 

 nia, and saw one near Mount Lassen, wliich was not secured. As spec- 

 imens of P. frenatus were taken at Fort Crook, by Captain Feilner, there 

 can be little doubt it is the prevailing if not the only species. 



Mustela pennanti Erxlebeu. Ptlan. I'cnnaitVa Marlen. 



Pennant's ^Marten, better known as the "Fisher," is found throughout 

 the wooded and mountainous portions of this region. A handsome 

 specimen was obtained in Shasta County, in February, which was taken 

 in a steel trap set for a fox. Its name in the language of resident 

 Indians is Ye-paJc-u.s. 



