540 Life-histories of Northern Animals 



When seen alive, its size, flat naked tail, aquatic habits, 

 and the dark crown with bufl^y cheeks will identify it. 



Freaks of colour are often seen; melanisms or black- 

 coated Muskrats are not rare; they bring two or three times 

 the price of ordinary ones. White freaks or albinisms are 

 occasionally met with; they are of no commercial value. 



The following geographical races are recognized: 



zibet htcus Linn., the typical form. 



pallidus Mearns, a smaller paler race. 



rivalicius Bangs, smaller than the type, duller and 

 darker. 



aquilonius Bangs, smaller than the type, blacker, with 

 smaller hind-foot. 



ripensis Bailey, a smaller race, pale, with white spot 

 over each nostril and a dusky chin-stripe. 



hudsonius Preble, a small race, paler than the type 

 and with small molars. 



spatulatus Osgood, a small dark race, with spatula- 

 shaped nasals. Preble reduces this to a race. 



Carberry specimens are intermediate between 

 hudsonius and zihethtcus. 



Life-history. 



RANGE The Muskrat is an inhabitant of every part of Manitoba. 



viRON- Except when seeking a new home it is never found away from 

 ^^^^ water. Its special environment is marshy ponds and the 

 banks of slow-running, sunny streams. 



iNDi- The home-locality of each individual is less than 200 yards 



RANGE across. If further from home than that, he is in foreign parts; 

 doubtless travelling to seek his fortune. A Muskrat will live and 

 thrive and be happy in a little pondy marsh that is even smaller 

 than this, and never wish to leave it until it dries up. Near 

 Carberry is an isolated pond only 50 feet across that has long 

 been the sufficient home of at least one pair of these animals. 



