Mink 877 



with the mother. As these are strictly family groups, they are 

 not real exceptions, and the Mink must be considered an un- 

 sociable animal. 



The rudiments of the mud-pie telephone, as described in 

 the Muskrat chapter, are found among Mink, but this appears 

 to be their sole impersonal mode of intercommunication, and a 

 very poor one at that. 



The only sounds I have heard the species utter are a growl, voice 

 a deep savage snarl, a louder snarl of defiance that is almost 

 a scream, and finally a shrill screech when it is in a trap. 



Kennicott credits' it with uttering a remarkable shrill, 

 twittering squeak, not unlike that of a bunting, but this only 

 when hurt or excited. To these we must add the loud sniffing, 

 which, while it is merely an attempt to smell clearly, also con- 

 veys to another Mink the idea that here there is something 

 which is probably worth while approaching and smelling. 



Most naturalists believe that the Mink is polygamous or mating 

 possibly polyandrous. Thus Kennicott says:* "The Mink 

 is not at all gregarious and does not even live in pairs. During 

 the love season, which occurs in February or March, according 

 to the climate, the female is accompanied by one or more 

 males." And in the Resseque Minkery one male commonly 

 served six females.^ However, the fact recorded by many 

 observers that during the mating season the males fight desper- 

 ately to a finish, is directly opposed to any theory of polyandry. 



We are told, further, that the females in the Minkery 

 "come in heat with great regularity, all being ready for the 

 male within ten days, and the period of excitement lasts about 

 four days." 



The following from the pen of Bachman illustrates their 

 habits at this season:" "The latter end of February or the 

 beginning of March in the latitude of Albany, N. Y., is the 

 rutting season of the Mink. At this period the ground is 

 usually still covered with snow, but the male is, notwithstand- 



= Quad. 111., 1858, p. 103. * Ibid., p. 102. 



= Coues, Fur bearing Anim., 1877, p. 182. ' Quad. N. A., 1849, Vol. I, p. 258. 



