I.^O 



MAMMALS OF AMERICA 



tiling of the extraordinary agility displayed by 

 the more lithe and slender-bodied Weasels, as 

 a consequence of the build of its body ; while, for 

 the same reason, it does not pursue the smaller 

 animals into their extensive undergroimd re- 

 treats, nor so habitually prowl about stone heaps 

 and similar recesses. It is altogether a more 

 openly aggressive marauder, though not less per- 

 sistent and courageous in its attacks. It appears 

 to be more ]ierfectly at home in the water, where 

 it swims with exactly the motions of an Otter. 

 and in fact appears like a small specimen of 

 that kind. It swims with most of the body sub- 

 merged — perhaps only the end of the nose ex- 

 posed — and progresses under water with perfect 

 ease, remaining long without coming to the sur- 

 face to breathe." 



The Mink is not properly a migratory animal. 

 In most sections it remains permanently where 

 it takes up its abode. In other.t;, however, it 

 may be forced to remove at times, owing to 

 scarcity or failure of its food-supply, such as 

 may ensue from the freezing of the waters in 

 northern parts. Under such circumstances, it 

 may perform extensive journeys overland. Trap- 

 pers speak of a " running " time with the Minks, 

 but this probably refers to the time when the 

 animals are hvmting mates. 



The mating season begins early — generally 

 in February — and .Vpril is for the most part 

 the month of reproduction. Five or six yoimg 

 are ordinarily produced at a birth, and the yoimg 

 remain with their mother through the summer. 

 Litters have been found in the hollow of a log. 

 as well as in the customary burrows. 



The Mink has been frequently tamed, and is 

 said to become with due care perfectly gentle 



and tractable, though liable to sudden fits of 

 anger, when no one is safe from its teeth, ^^'ith- 

 out showing special affection, it seems fond of 

 being caressed, and may ordinarily be handled 

 with perfect impunity. 



Minks are not burrowing animals in a state of 

 nature, but freely avail themselves of the holes 

 of r^Iusk-Rat and other rodents. They cannot 

 flimb a smooth surface, but ascend readily where 

 there is roughness enough for a nail-hold. Tame 

 Minks make excellent ratters, hunt vigorously, 

 and soon exterminate the troublesome pests. 

 Rats will make off on scenting them ; they are 

 so bewildered in flight that they give no battle, 

 but yield at once ; and the Mink severs the main 

 vessels of the neck so quickly and skilfully that 

 an observer would scarcely imagine the deed 

 had been done. 



Dr. A. K. Fisher says : " The Mink feeds on 

 fish, crayfish, mussels, bats, and like the Weasel 

 is indefatigable in its search for meadow mice 

 and other marsh-loving rodents. It is very fond 

 of Musk-Rats, and one of its mo t important 

 services to man is the destroying of these pests 

 about milldams, canals, and dikes, where their 

 burrows undermine the embankment and cause 

 disastrous overflows. The Mink, although semi- 

 aquatic, sometimes travels long distances from 

 water in search of rabbits, ducks and chickens. 

 ^^'hen it finds an unprotected ])ouItry house, it 

 sometimes contents itself with a single victim ; 

 but other times it kills all the inmates within 

 reach. A single Mink has been known to kill 

 thirty to forty ducks or chickens in one night. 

 Fortunately such occurrences are rare and cer- 

 tainly will become less frequent, since the de- 

 mand for Mink fur is constantly increasing." 



LARGE STRIPED SKUNK 



Mephitis mephit 



General Description. — A. large robust-bodied animal 

 as large as a eat. with pelage of clear black and pure 

 white. Body thick-set : legs rather short ; tail bushy ; 

 claws curved ; ears short ; anal musk glands exceedingly 

 well developed ; soles nearly wholly naked, partly 

 plantigrade ; color black all over, with the exception of 

 broad white stripe from head along back and onto tail : 

 white line down forehead to nose. 



Dental Formula. — Incisors, — — : Canines, — ; 



3—3 I— I 



Premolars, ^£^ ; Molars, ^—=34- 



Pelage. — Adults: Sexes similar and no seasonal 

 variation. Pelage composed of two types of hairs, long 

 hard hair and short soft underfur. Color everywhere 

 black, but with broad white band commencing at crown 

 of head rumiing backward, at first as one stripe, then 

 dividing back of shoulders into two stripes along the 



is iScltrcber) 



upper side and continuing thus out along sides of tail ; 

 a narrow white stripe from middle of nose to crown ; 

 black hairs of tail white at base: tail white at tip. 

 Young : Striped like adults. 



Measurements. — Sexes about the same. Length. 24 

 inches ; tail. 8 inches : hind foot. 3 inches. Weight. 7 

 to S pounds. 



Range. — Eastern Canada west and north to Kee- 

 watin. 



Food. — Sinall manunals, birds, insects, frogs, cray- 

 fish and snakes. 



Remarks. — The Striped Skunks of the genus 

 Mephitis range over nearly all of North America south 

 of Hudson Bay and from coast to coast. They are 

 readily distinguished from the Little Spotted Skunks of 

 the genus Spihijalc by their large size and by the quite 

 difi^erent color pattern, the broad white stripes of the 



