THE MINK'S HUNTING GROUND 



the brook and its tributaries, most raven- 

 ously. If you are patient, fortunate, and 

 the wind is right you may at dusk get a 

 glimpse of the weasel-like head of one 

 lifted above the bank as he sniffs the 

 breeze for game and enemies. In that 

 light his fur will look black though it is 

 really a pretty shade of brown, but you 

 will not fail to see the white streak which 

 runs from his chin downward. But, 

 though you may not see the animal him- 

 sel-f you cannot, if there is snow on the 

 ground, fail to see his slender, aristo- 

 cratic track with its clutching claws, for 

 the mink is a desperate hunter and always 

 hungry. All is fish that comes to his net, 

 - trout, turtles, toads, snails, bugs, or 

 anything he can find in the brook that 

 seems in the least edible. 



The semi-aquatic life of the enchanted 

 region is sadly destructive of other life, 

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