56 Kansas Academy of Science. 



self-forgetful as in the human species. The mothers, in almost all animals, espe- 

 cially mammals and birds, willingly, and often needlessly, run risks, and sacrifice 

 their lives to save offspring from real or fancied danger. With insects, there is little 

 of this feeling, for the mother perishes with the laying of the eggs as a rule, although 

 great care and affection are bestowed upon the preparation of the nest, and depositing 

 the eggs. It is the one object and passion of their lives. Fish often exhibit a strong 

 feeling for the eggs as the young; but reptiles do not give much attention to the 

 young, and rarely display any affection for them. But the idea of duty, in caring 

 for the young, is probably never conceived by animals, and instinct takes its place 

 to insure perpetuation of species. 



The idea of property rights is often exhibited by animals, especially in the pro- 

 tective instinct of the dog. It must be manifested to some extent in wild animals 

 in regard to the ownership of game or food, as in respecting the rights of domicile; 

 but of this we have no direct proof. There are examples, however, of the rights of 

 parents in their offspring being regarded by stronger animals. 



But we must close our study of the subject for the present, with the hope of con- 

 tributing other suggestions in the future, and especially with the wish that these 

 random thoughts may provoke observation and discussion in others. 



MAMMALS OF WESTERN KANSAS. 



BY A. B. BAKER, OF WAKEENEY, KANSAS. 



The following is a list, accompanied by a few brief notes, of mammals found 

 along the hundredth meridian between N. latitude 38.30 and 39.30. 



This list, having been prepared without access to authorities, will unavoidably 

 contain inaccuracies in nomenclature and otherwise. 



Only such species are included as have been taken by the writer within the past 

 five years. 



Lynx rufus, Raf., (Wild Cat): Common along wooded streams, and among the 

 chalk bluffs; preys but little upon sheep or poultry. Two females taken in May; 

 contained two young each. 



MUSTELID^. 



Putorius longicauda, Rich., (Long-tailed Weasel): Not common; inhabits prairie 

 dogs' burrows and holes among rocks; not seen here till the present year. 



Putorius nigripes, Aud. & Bach., (Black-footed Ferret): Lives in prairie dogs' bur- 

 rows, and preys upon these rodents; makes occasional inroads also upon poultry. It 

 is generally to be found in the larger prairie-dog "towns," but is nowhere numerous. 



Lutra canadensis, Sab., (Otter): Occasional along streams. 



MELINID^. 



Taxidea americana, Waterh., (Badger): Common; lives in burrows on the open 

 prairie. 



Mephitis mephitica, Shaw, (Common Skunk): Very numerous and destructive to 

 poultry. 



SpiJogale interrupta, (Little Striped Skunk) : Not seen here till the autumn of 1887. 

 Of twenty skunks taken since that time, one-third were of this species. 



OANIDiE. 



Canis occidentalis, (Gray Wolf): Formerly quite numerous; now uncommon, and 

 found only in rough country along streams. 



