MAMMALS OF MINNESOTA. 131 
. selves upon the edge of the dam, and east in our line. The 
fish were quite plenty, and as fast as we caught one we threw 
it behind us upon the scaffolding. After a dozen or ‘so had 
been caught, I thought I would light my pipe, pick up the fish 
and put them in the shade, and I started to doso. I accom 
plished the first object, but upon looking for the fish I could 
not find a single one. I thought that my chum must have re- 
“moved them, and was playing a joke upon me, but on mention- 
ing it to him he was as much surprised as I was. They could 
not have fallen through the cracks, or leaped over the side 
without our knowing it. Where were they? That was the 
question. He returned to fish, and I seated myself upon the 
bank to digest the subject. Presently he caught another fish 
and threw it upon the boards. Immediately I saw a Mink run 
out from a hole near by, snatch the fish and carry it off. This 
explained the mysterious disappearance of the others.” 
The movements of the Mink on land, though sufficiently 
active, lack something of the extraordinary agility displayed 
by the more lithe and slender-bodied Weasels, as a conse- 
quence of the build of its body; while, for the same reason, it 
does not pursue the smaller animals into their extensive under- 
ground retreats, nor so habitually prowl about stone heaps 
and similar recesses. It is altogether a more openly aggres- 
sive marauder, though not less persistent and courageous in 
its attacks. It appears to be more perfectly 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 submerged—perhaps only the 
end of the nose exposed—and progresses under water with per- 
fect ease, remaining long without coming to the surface to 
breathe. This may be partly the reason of its long survival 
under the pressure of a deadfall. 
The Mink is not properly a migratory animal. In most sec- 
tions it remains permanently where it takes up its abode. In 
others, however, it may be forced to remove at times, owing to 
searcity or failure of its food-supply, such as may ensue from 
the freezing of the waters in northern parts. Under such cir- 
cumstances, if may perform extensive journeys overland. Trap- 
pers have indeed spoken to me of a “‘running” time with the 
Minks, but I cannot satisfy myself that reference is here had 
to anything more than periods of sexual activity, when the ani- 
malsare hunting mates. I do not think that whatever ‘‘migra- 
tion” may take place is anything more than casual. 
—8 
