128 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 



favourite food is fish and crustaceans, and suitable places could be se- 

 lected where these could be procured in abundance. 



Prime otter skins from eastern Canada, where the fur is at its 

 best, are quoted in the January, 1908, Fur Trade Eeview at $15 to $20. 



BEAVER 



In spite of more than three hundred years of persistent trapping a 

 few beaver remain scattered here and there over a large part of the 

 United States and Canada, probably enough, could they be adequately 

 protected, to restock most of the streams. In many sections they are 

 protected locally and are becoming abundant again. 



If unmolested for a few years they lose their fear of man, work 

 on their dams and houses in the daytime and become comparatively 

 tame. With such an animal further domestication seems unnecessary. 

 Given a suitable pond or stream they find abundance of food and are 

 able to care for themselves in every way. They can be fenced in as 

 readily as a flock of sheep and their enemies, except man, can be fenced 

 out. Thousands of miles of forest marsh and stream, fit for no other 

 purpose are lying idle and could be used to advantage as beaver farms. 



Prime beaver skins from the northern United States and Canada 

 are quoted in the January, 1908, Fur Trade Eeview at $5 to $8. 



By selecting breeding stock from the region where the fur is the 

 best and keeping only the choice individuals for breeding purposes, it 

 would doubtless be possible to steadily improve the standard and value 

 of the beaver fur. 



MARTEN 



The marten or American sable is a forest animal of the Boreal 

 zone. It comes into the United States along the northern border and 

 extends south in mountainous sections as far as ISTew York, New Mex- 

 ico, and central California. It is a beautiful, soft-furred little animal 

 the size of a mink, but of much brighter appearance. It generally 

 inhabits coniferous forests, is an expert climber, but avoids the water. 

 Its food is mainly squirrels, rabbits, mice, birds, and such small game. 

 In the wild state it has the savage disposition of its family, but in 

 captivity is quiet and gentle. 



The most valuable marten skins come from Labrador and eastern 

 Canada and are variously quoted at $20 to $40. 



MINK 



The mink is one of the most widely distributed fur bearers of 

 North America and one of the few species able to hold its own against 



