206 A COURSE ON ZOOLOGY. 



of time under water, being able to walk only with diffi- 

 culty, but to swim very rapidly. They inhabit the 

 banks of streams and ponds, living in holes close to the 

 water's edge. They live principally on fish, of which 

 they destroy enormous quantities. The fur is a beau- 

 tiful chestnut color above, whitish-gray below, and is 

 much prized. The otter attains a length of three or 



four feet. 



FIG. 130. 



SEA-OTTER (Enhydra lutris). 



Other members of the family mustelidse are the pole- 

 cat, the pekan, or American marten, the ermine, ferret, 

 sable, skunk, badger, and other martens, and weasels. 



The polecats, of which the ferret is one variety, are 

 characterized by a very unpleasant odor, which they 

 seem to be able to control to some extent. They prefer 

 to live near farm-houses, sometimes making their homes 

 in barns and stables ; they are bold and ferocious, and 

 often kill wantonly large numbers of barn-yard fowl, 

 carrying off only a small fraction of their prey. The 

 fur is brown on the back, fawn-colored on the sides, 

 yellowish on the belly, and white on the nose ; it is a 



