Mink 891 



Having a considerable amount of dirt in it, the quarry affords 

 a paradise for such animals that are in the habit of burrowing 

 close to small streams. One afternoon as I was on my way 

 to another block to give some instructions to my men, I acci- 

 dentally glanced towards a small sandy spot running out into 

 the stream, forming a peninsula or cape by the junction of a 

 little brooklet and the main or larger brook. The spot was bare, 

 with the exception of a few Spanish needles, and was overhung 

 with small willows. Standing within six or eight feet of me 

 were two large male Minks, eyeing each other intently, their 

 small eyes looking like coals of fire, and with mouth slightly 

 open, their backs arched, necks stretched forwards, their 

 hind-legs close to the ground, they looked very much like 

 miniature tigers waiting an opportunity to spring towards 

 each other. 



"The first motion was a quivering of the bodies, followed 

 by increasing rapidity in breathing. Then slowly each ad- 

 vanced towards the other until i8 inches apart, when each 

 seemed to be gathering all the strength possible to make a final 

 leap. After standing motionless for a full minute, one of them 

 turned his head a little to the right, and instantly the other did 

 the same. Probably ten seconds elapsed while in this attitude 

 when, quicker than the eye could follow, they sprang towards 

 each other, and, catching by their throats just back of the lower 

 jaw, held to each other with a grip that meant death to the one 

 that should let go his hold. With a determination to conquer 

 or die, they wound each other round and round until exhausted 

 from loss of blood, when, spreading their fore-feet to brace 

 themselves, they stood perfectly still until one of them stag- 

 gered, then fell, pulling the other with him, laying them both 

 down in the sand, growing weaker and weaker until they 

 ceased to breathe. When they were dead I picked one of them 

 up, and the jaws of each were so set that it was with difficulty 

 I pulled them apart. The battle was probably of a minute's 

 duration, in which time the animals never noticed my presence, 

 or, if they did, they made no sign of their knowledge of it. I 

 presume the object was for one to catch the other so close to his 



