118 CARNIVORA. 



MINK. 



Mustela vison. 

 French : Vison. German : Nerz. 



The habitat of the Mink is very extensive. In North 

 America it ranges from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and 

 from Alaska and York Fort to Louisiana, Arkansas, and 

 Kentucky. 



The Mink is rather a small animal, of 6 to 18 inches 

 in length, not including the tail, \Yhich is another 6 or 

 9 inches ; the usual colour is various shades of brown, 

 but albinos and nearly black, mottled, and drab-coloured 

 examples are sometimes met with, as well as animals 

 with white hairs sprinkled in the brown fur ; there is 

 often a white spot on the throat, somewhat similar to 

 that of the Marten ; a white line or spot is also some- 

 times found underneath, varying very much in length ; 

 the tail is generally brown or dark l^rown, of a darker 

 shade towards the tip, and it is sometimes tipped with 

 white ; the whiskers are usually brown or dark brown ; 

 the ears are short ; the under fur is usually dark bluish- 

 brown, and in black animals, dark blue ; sometimes the 

 under fur is white. The Mink has six teats ; there is 

 a deeper ridge of colour on the back. Sometimes skins 

 spotted with white are found. 



The Mink is amphibious, but siJending most of its time 

 in the water, preying on fish, etc. It gives out a fetid 

 smell, which is not, however, as strong as that of the 

 Skunk. The largest animals are found in Alaska and 

 the most northerly provinces of Canada. The blackest 

 animals are found in the wooded districts of Canada, 

 Nova Scotia, etc. Almost equally dark examples are met 



