314 



Y KKTKIIK ATA. 



.i weasel ran away from the kite, apparently unhurt. Leaving the bird dead, with a hole eaten 

 through the skin under the wing, and the large blood-vessels of the part torn through." 



With similar courage the weasel will attack dogs, and even men, when its nest is invaded. 

 This is formed of dry leaves and herbage, and is generally lodged in some snug locality, such asa 

 crevice in a bank, the bollow of a tree, or a dry ditch, which keeps it warm and comfortable. 

 Il< re four <>r five young arc brought up from each birth, the number of these litters being two, 

 and even three, in the year. 



This Bpeciee sometimes, but rarely, turns white in the winter; in this state it is the Mustela 

 nivalis of Linnaeus. Mr. Bell received one from Scotland with two white spots on each side of 

 the nose, which it retained throughout the summer. 



In America, we have several different kinds of weasel, and one of them has been regarded as 

 identical with the preceding; but this opinion seems not to be well founded. 



The Putorius Boccamelais a species of weasel nearly of the size of the ermine, found in Italy 

 and Algeria. In Asia there are the P. Hodgsonii, P. Horsfieldii, and P. Cathia. 



■;.„. 



MINKS. 



Tie Mink, Vison of Buffon, Mustela Vison of ^Linnaeus, Minx Otter and Vison Weasel of Pen- 

 nant, the Jackash of Hearne, the Putorius Vison of Pe Kay, has the long, slender body of thi 

 genus; the color, varying in different species, is generally dark brown, with a light spot under the 

 throat. When seen in the woods or fields the animal appears black, and hence "black as a mink" 

 i- a proverbial expression among us. There is considerable difference in the size; thirteen inches 

 is, howcv< r, the average length of the body and head. The mink has not only the form of the 

 weasels, bul much of their activity and voracity. They frequently take up their abode near tie 

 poultry-yard, where they make greal havoc. They frequent the streams, where they swim \ 

 and prove themselves to be expert fishermen. They not only eat fish, but frogs and crawfish, 

 sides mice and rats, the latter furnishing a good part of their living. They have a good i 

 and t'o!l,.w their prey by scent with the certainty of a hound. They are fond of water, pn fen 

 -mall stream-; they delight in rapids and waterfalls, and often make their residence at theii 

 feet Many of them frequent the marshes of the Southern States, where they f.-ed on small s ! 

 fish and aquatic insects, with such shore birds as they can sei/.e. The marsh-hen frequently b< 

 .•Mines their prey. They sometimes ascend trees, but not often; they are neither suspicions no 

 cunning, and are easily caught in trap-. The young are produced in April, and from four to 

 at a time. The far was once much esteemed, but it is now of little value; some specimens, how 

 ever, of peculiar fineness, and of a beautiful silver-gray, still bring large prices. This animal 

 peculiar to North America, and is distributed throughout nearly its whole extent, being rare, ho^ 

 ever, in the more settled part-. 



The Moivimv Brook Mink, /'. nigrescens, is somewhat smaller than the preceding, th< 

 being about eleven inches long. In color and habits it resembles the vison. - It is found in th 

 mountainous regions from Canada to Pennsylvania. 



