GILPIN — ON NOVA SCOTIA MAMMALS. 15 



children lamented this wild pet, whose annual changes from 



white to brown and from brown to white they had so often seen. 



Of this change, which, according to Audubon, takes place 



suddenly (in large patches during one night,) and is completed in 



twenty days, I have had no opportunities of observing ; I have 



had .white specimens as early as middle of Iv^ovember, and perfect 



brown ones as early as April. Perhaps both these dates are early 



for the great body of them to change. Personally I have 



noticed in this little animal a bold and courageous figure, 



glittering eyes set low in a very triangular head, and glancing 



every where, a bounding gait when pursued, but when huntiug 



quick mincing steps, and head carried high on an arched neck, 



turning from side to side incessantly. An arched back, and tail 



well-up, complete the figure of as high spirited, bold little fellow 



as haunts the forest. 



PuTOEius RiCHAEDSONii (^BonwpaHe) . 



In examining many hunters' skins I found several in winter and summer 

 pelage whose tails were about five inches in length ; the summer specimens 

 all retained the white upper lip, which by some naturalists has been made a 

 typical mark. Dr. Baird referred these skins to this species. They are very 

 rare in the Province. 



PuTOEius NovEBOEACENSis {DeKciy .) 



Mr. James Thomas, Halifax, gave me a skin obtained at Antigonish, Nova 

 Scotia, which I refer to this species. It was in winter pelage — white, but 

 with a brown patch on the forehead, and a light brown indistinct dorsal line, 

 the belly and tail had a bright sulphur mark through the white, the latter 

 tipped with black. Total length to tip of tail 21 inches, length of tail 

 7 2-10 inches, length of black tip 1 6-8 inch. 



Our Province thus is represented almost solely by P. 

 Cicognanii^ which appears to have spread itself thoroughly in 

 its limits. 



The entire absence of Pusillus so common in New England, 

 and the very great scarcity of Richardsonii and Noveboracen&m 

 may appear singular to those unacquainted with the very limited 

 range many species have, and the small fauna, islands, and 

 extremities of continents have, compared with central countries. 

 The raccoon has but lately appeared amongst us, and in the 

 Annapolis Valley has yet only penetrated the north mountain — ■ 

 being unknown or^ the south side of the valley. Our list of 



