419 



COMMON WEASEL. 



Putorius noveboracensis 



DESCRIPTION. 



This species varies greatly in size as well as in coloration. 

 Length of head and body nine to ten inches, tail four to six 

 inches, body long and slim. In summer pelage this species is 

 brown (usually rather dull) above, tail same color, except about 

 1-3 or % at the end which is always black. Lower parts whit- 

 ish and pale sulphury-yellow. In winter the pelage is white, 

 more or less tinged, particularly toward posterior parts with 

 pale sulphury-yellow; end of bushy tail is black. The many 

 conditions of di-ess between the two extremes above noted, give 

 rise to different common names applied to this animal, and 

 w^hich have reference to its coat. White specimens I have much 

 oftener found in the mountainous and northern sections of the 

 State than elsewhere, and as Mr. Malloy says on a succeeding 

 page. Weasels in winter are much more apt to be brown of 

 some shade than white. The male weighs, it is said from five 

 to eight ounces, and the female about four ounces. 



Habitat.— "Europe, Asia and America, extending north to the 

 limit of existence of terrestrial mammals. In America south 

 to very nearly the southei-n border of the United States, but 

 no specimens seen from the Gulf States, New Mexico, Arizona or 

 Southern California." — ^Coues. 



ITS MANY NAMES. 



The reuHO'iis whereby this little animal j!,ets its name 

 are worthj of note and go this paper is begun with an 

 explanation of them. 



The technical name Putorius is taken from "putor" 

 a "bad smell." Ii is an appropriate title for both sexes 

 have the powers of emitting a "peculiar fluid" which 

 is most offensive and only a little less pungent and 

 piercing than that of the Skunk. Skinner tells us that 

 "Stoat" comes from the Belgie "stout" (bold), and in 

 England he is called Stout to the present time. Cer- 

 tainly he deserves this name, for game larger than 

 himself deters him not; long runs through bush and 

 briar — he seldom takes to the open — carry no fear t«i 



