45 6 PRACTICAL ZOOLOGY 



The three fur animals still fairly abundant in the United 

 States are the muskrat, the mink, and the skunk. Of these the 

 muskrat is most likely to retain its numbers, since it multiplies 

 rapidly and, properly protected, is in no danger of extinction 



FIG. 319. Skunk. (From Ingersoll.) 



except where swamps are drained for agriculture. The mink 

 breeds but once a year, and close trapping has already made it 

 scarce over wide areas. Its choice of banks of streams and marsh- 

 lands as a habitat aids in its preservation, but unless given more 

 adequate protection it cannot long survive the high premium on 



