358 University of California Publications in Zoology l VoL - 12 



Mustela muricus (Bangs) 

 Sierra Least Weasel 



Of this tiny and apparently little known weasel we secured two 

 specimens (nos. 13776, 13777), one at the head of Rush Creek, Sis- 

 kiyou County, at an altitude of 6400 feet, and the other at Castle 

 Lake, Siskiyou County, altitude 5434 feet. The first one was caught 

 in a number 1 steel trap set under a log on the margin of a small 

 lake. The one at Castle Lake came to oatmeal bait on a rat-trap set 

 in a clump of firs where we were trapping for flying squirrels. 



The two specimens agree with the description of muricus by 

 Bangs (1899, p. 71) except for the tail of one, which is nearly all 

 white but with the tip dark and with the upper basal half of the 

 same color as the back. As this specimen also shows spots of white 

 on the nose, behind the ears and on the upper flanks, it may be 

 inferred that the species turns white in winter and that this indi- 

 vidual had not fully completed its summer molt. The date of cap- 

 ture, July 28, however, is late for retention of even remnants of the 

 winter pelage. The second specimen was taken August 20 ; close 

 scrutiny of this one discloses a few white hairs in the tail, and two 

 or three in the back. 



The measurements of the two specimens are as follows : No. 

 13776, 9 , total length, 210 millimeters ; tail vertebrae, 55 ; hind foot, 

 27 ; no. 13777, 9 , total length, 205 ; tail vertebrae, 51 ; hind foot, 27. 



Mustela saturata (Merriam) 

 Siskiyou Weasel 



Two specimens taken at Jackson Lake (nos. 13778, 13779) have 

 been referred to this species, although as far as known this is the 

 first record of its occurrence south of the type locality, Siskiyou, 

 Oregon. There are no white facial markings. At the corner of the 

 mouth is a distinct brown spot considered as characteristic of the 

 species, and in general coloration the specimens otherwise corre- 

 spond with the first published description (Merriam, 1896, pp. 

 21-22). 



Measurements of the specimens, both male, are as follows: No. 

 13778, total length, 412 millimeters; tail vertebrae, 136; hind foot, 

 50; no. 13779, total length, 403; tail vertebrae, 150; hind foot, 43. 

 These average smaller than the two males from the Siskiyou Moun- 



