CAPTURE OF ANIMALS. , 23 



forth from six to nine at a birth, and three times a year. The 

 first kittens also have one litter, which attain to about the size 

 of house- rats in September. They have many enemies, such 

 as the fox, wolf, lynx, otter, mink, and owl. They are found 

 from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the Rio Grande to 

 the Arctic Regions. But they do not inhabit the alluvial 

 lands of Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida, though in 

 other regions they live much further south. 



The modes of capturing the Muskrat are various. One of 

 them we have already seen. Another is by spearing, of 

 which a fine example will be given in a subsequent article by 

 Mr. Thacker. These methods are good at certain seasons 

 and in certain conditions of the ice, &c. ; but for general serv- 

 ice there is no means of capture so reliable as the steel-trap. 

 Traps should be set in the principal feeding places, play- 

 grounds, and holes of the Muskrat, and generally about two 

 inches under water. Bait is not necessary except when game 

 is scarce and its signs not fresh. In that case you may bait 

 with apples, parsnips, carrots, artichokes, white flag-roots, or 

 even the flesh of the muskrat. The musk of this animal will 

 sometimes draw effectually at long distances. The bait should 

 be fastened to the end of a stick, and stuck over the trap about 

 eight inches high, and in such a position that the animal will 

 have to pass over the trap to take the bait. Care should be 

 taken to fasten the trap to a stake in such a position that the 

 chain will lead the captive into deep water and drown him. 

 If he is allowed to entangle himself or by any means to get 

 ashore, he will be very likely to gnaw or twist off a leg and 

 get away. 



THE MINK. 



The Mink is found in the northern parts of America, Eu- 

 rope, and Asia. Its fur is very valuable, and in this country 

 of late years has been the most popular kind. The Mink is 

 carnivorous, and belongs to the mustelidce or weasel family. 

 It resembles the ferret and ermine. It is not amphibious like 

 the muskrat, yet lives on the banks of streams and gets much 

 of its food from them. It is of a dark brown color , has 

 short legs, a long body and neck, and a bushy tail. In this 



