MINKS OTTER SKUNK. 299 



good condition, the surface being equally propitious to both 

 dog and fox. Range of the gray fox, " Pennsylvania to 

 the Southern States and from the Atlantic to the Pacific." 



MINK, WEASEL. 



(Family Mustelidse.) 



Genus PUTORIUS, (Cuvier.) Species Vison, (Syn. Mus- 

 tela Yison, Linn.) The brown mink is a mischievous little 

 animal, and quite abundant on the Alleghany. He is a fatal 

 visitant of the hen-roost ; but is much esteemed for his fur. 



PUTORIUS Noveboracensis. Common weasel, white weasel, 

 (Syn. Mustela erminea, Harlan.) Is occasionally seen on 

 the Alleghany ; range, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois to 

 Arkansas. 



OTTER. 



(Family LutridaB.) 



Genus LUTRA. Species Canadensis, common otter of 

 Pennant, and Lutra Braziliensis of Harlan. The American 

 otter has a range of North United States west to Rocky 

 Mountains, or " from the Atlantic to the Pacific and from 

 the Gulf of Mexico to the shores of the Arctic Sea." D. K. 

 This sagacious and wary animal is occasionally found on the 

 mountain, but is rare in Pennsylvania, and fast disappearing, 

 on account of its valuable fur. From the shyness of its 

 habits it is difficult to take ; sometimes, however, it is cap- 

 tured when its foot-prints are discovered in the sands of the 

 mountain streams. It feeds upon fish and aquatic animals. 



SKUNK. 



MEPHITIS Mephitica, skunk, pole-cat. This detestable 

 creature is found on the mountain, but not abundant ; and 

 being an offensive and ignominious thief, the less said about 

 (in hearing of "ears polite" !) or done with him, the better. 

 De Kay records the fact, that Dr. Wiley, of Black Island, 



