Zoological Explorations. 245 



Ursus americaxus Pailas. Black Bear. Common. A 

 large number of skins are brought in every year. I heard 

 also of a brown species which some hunters claimed was the 

 cinnamon. It could hardly have been Ursus arctos, which 

 inhabits Arctic America, but has never, so far as I know, been 

 reported in the Saskatchewan region. I suppose it is merely 

 a color phase of the ordinary' black bear. 



LuTRA HUDSoxiCA (Lacipede). American Olter. Said 

 to be common. 



Mephitis mephitica (Shaw). Conir.wn Skunk. This is 

 one of the standard fur-bearing animals of the region, and 

 this, perhaps, may account for the fact that the name is not 

 held in such disrepute as in more civilized localities. One of 

 our most distinguished Indian friends, a councillor of his vil- 

 lage, rejoiced in a title, which being interpreted is "Councillor 

 Skunk." 



GuLO GULO (L). Wolverine. Formerh' common, but 

 now rarely found. The Indians corroborate the story of this 

 animal's habit of defiling any carcasses or provisions which it 

 is unable to devour, and thus rendering it inedible for all other 

 animals. This seems not to be a malicious destruction of food, 

 but a provision for the future needs of the wolverine, which is 

 said to return and eat the food thus preserved. This animal 

 bears the reputation of being among the most cunning of all 

 mammals, and its intelligence in stealing bait and avoiding the 

 traps is the basis of many astounding camp fire-stories. 



MusTELA AMERICANA Turtcn. Sablc. Pine Marten, 

 Common. One of the "fur animals" of the region. 



Pl'Torius visox. (Schreber). Mink. Common. 



PuTORius ermixea (L.). (?) Weascl. Ermine. This ani- 

 mal was mentioned as occurring in the region, but I am unable 

 to state whether it is common or not. 



Vulpes vulpes (L.). Red Fox. Apparently, the com- 



