422 



does not apptar to be of very fioquout occtiirence. In 

 fact, quite a number of zoological students who are be- 

 lieved to be entirely competent to distinguish both 

 species report the Least Weasel to be rare or unknown 

 in Uieir localities. 



Mr. George 1'. Friaut, taxidermist, of Scranton, 

 Penna., during the past ten years has had over one 

 hundred Weasels taken within a radius of twenty-five 

 miles of his home, and of these not more than three O!- 

 four were the smaller species. The experience of Mr. 

 Ohas. H. Eldon, taxidermist, of Williamsport, Penna., 

 is vev\^ similar to that of JNfr. Fiiant. During the past 

 eight years the writer has collected zoological speci- 

 mens in almost every county in the State, and in a col- 

 lection of seventy odd specimens at least six were of 

 the small kind. 



In 1885 and 188G thirty-seven Weasels, on which 

 bounty had been paid in Chester county, were ex- 

 amined and all were found to be the Emiine or Com- 

 mon Weasel. From evidence at hand it seems that the 

 Least Weasel is to be found in the northern and moun- 

 tainous regions of Pennsylvania, and I am inclined to 

 think it is more plentiful than some observers and 

 writers believe. Unfortunately a series of about sev- 

 enty-five skins of Pennsylvania Weasels which I had 

 were destroyed a couple of months ago w'hen the con- 

 tents of my office was burned with the State Capitol. 

 This loss and the destruction of my note books make it 

 impossible for me to specify the Idealities from which 

 the T^ast Weasels I had came. 



THEY CHANGE THEIR COATS. 



In one way at least these sprightly animals are not 

 unlike some modem day politicians who have made 



