534 PUTORIUS. 
ce.—leucoparia (Putorius), Merr., N. Am. Faun., No. 11, 1896, p. 29. 
MicHoacan BRIDLED WEASEL. 
Type locality. Patzcuaro, State of Michoacan, Mexico. 
Geogr. Distr. State of Michoacan, Mexico; range unknown. 
Genl. Char. Uarger than P. jrenatus, similar in color, black and 
white markings on head and face more extended. 
Color. Upper parts dark brown; top and sides of head black; 
broad band of white between eyes and ears, and white spot between 
eyes; upper lip bordered with whitish; chin and throat buffy yellow; 
rest of under parts, fore feet, inner sides of hind legs and feet, and 
terminal half of hind feet buffy ochraceous; tail dark brown; tip black. 
Measurements. Total length, 510; tail vertebre, 201; hind 
foot, 53. 
505. affinis (Mustela), Gray, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., 4th Ser., xiv, 
1874, P. 375- 
ALLIED WEASEL. Collaraja in Costa Rica. 
Type locality. Colombia. 
Geogr. Distr. Costa Rica, south into South America. 
Genl. Char. Size large, white streak on side of head in some 
examples. Frontal region of skull broad, and audital bulle flat. 
Color. Head blackish brown, almost clear black, rest of upper 
parts and tail very rich dark chestnut brown; tip of tail black; chin 
and throat yellowish white; rest of under parts and inner side of fore 
legs ochraceous orange; in some specimens a white streak in front of 
ear; in others there is no facial mark. 
Measurements. Total length, 510; tail, 180; hind foot, 52 
(skin). 
Otters are mainly aquatic in their habits, and their food is fish, 
which they capture by swimming. In the water the Otter moves 
with ease, its action even graceful, and it dives instantaneously 
either to escape danger or to pursue its finny prey. The nest or sleep- 
ing place of this animal is formed of grass, and is usually placed 
among the roots of a tree, or in a hole in the bank of a stream, or in 
the hollow of a tree near water. As a digger the Otter is not famous, 
and its retreats are usually those formed by nature, or by some bur- 
rowing animal. Otters are playful creatures, and their chief amuse- 
ment is sliding. The highest place in the bank, or if in winter the 
topmost ridge of snow is selected, and lying on its stomach with the 
front legs laid backward, giving itself a push with the hind feet, it 
glides head-first down the declivity, and this is repeated many times, 
