The Home of the Wolverene and Beaver. 155 



from whence it apprehends danger. It is easily 

 tamed, and is capable of strong attachment. In a 

 domestic state it is observed to sleep much in the 

 day, and to be fond of warmth. One, which I saw 

 in the possession of a Canadian woman, passed 

 the day in her pocket, looking out occasionally 

 when its attention was roused by any unusual 

 noise." 



Audubon also bears testimony to the gentle dis- 

 position of the mink. He says, " We had in our 

 possession a pet of this kind for eighteen months ; 

 it regularly made a visit to an adjoining fish-pond 

 both morning and evening, and returned to the 

 house of its own accord, where it continued during 

 the remainder of, the day. It waged war against 

 the Norway rats which had their domicile in the 

 dam that formed the fish-pond, and it caught the 

 frogs which had taken possession of its banks. We 

 did not perceive that it captured many fish, and it 

 never attacked the poultry. It was on good terms 

 with the dogs and cats, and molested no one unless 

 its tail or foot was accidentally trod upon, when it 

 invariably revenged itself by snapping at the foot of 

 the offender. It was rather dull at mid-day, but 

 very active and playful in the morning and evening 

 and at night. It never emitted its disagreeable 

 odour except when it had received a sudden and 



