12 GILPIN — ON NOVA SCOTIAN MAMMALS, 



are much finer, darker in colour, and more lustrous in pelage than 

 our own. They have pale faces. 



We come .now to the Putorii or true weasels. These, as 

 before stated, have thirty-four teeth, have longer bodies, shorter 

 legs and fur, thinner tails, and never take to trees. They are 

 represented with us by two species of mink, and three species of 

 ermine weasels. 



PUTORIUS. 



PuTORius VisoN, — {Richardson,) Mink. 



PuTORius JSTiGRESCENS, — (Auclubon,) Little Black Minh. 



Following Audubon and Baird, I have made two species of 

 mink, founded rather in a very marked diflerence in size, than 

 in any thing else, as they both coincide in general and typical 

 marks and habits. I have never had a specimen in the flesh to 

 examine, but the following description of skins taken from the 

 Halifax market, will show their relative size : — 



The largest mink skins measure from the tip of the fore-finger (the arm 

 being extended) to t'^e ear of a man ; the smaller to the bend of the arm. 

 The hunters readily allow two kinds. 



The largest measured was total length to tip of tail 32^ inches, tail 9 ? 

 inches; the smallest measured 23 inches total, tail 6| inches. These skins 

 may be somewhat stretched, the tails contracted. The colour varies from 

 nearly fawn to brown, brownisii black, black, and finally, when in the highest 

 condition of winter pelage, to an indescribable shining bluish black, with a 

 glorious lustre. The lower parts are lighter than the back. The tip of chin 

 is often white, the throat and between the fore-legs always white, with 

 frequently a white line down the belly. I have seen two or three specimens 

 with white tips to the tail, the smaller species is usually tbe darker. The feet 

 are half webbed, very large, and have the soles naked. The head is round 

 and truncated, the eyes very near the nose, ear round and short, back high, 

 and hairy tail. The hair much finer and shorter than the martins. 



These two species are common in the Province, and by no 

 means decrease in numbers. Unlike the martins, their habits 

 are familiar, and they approach out-houses and farm-yards, 

 where they make great havoc among the poultry. They are 

 good swimmers , and have been seen diving after trout. Their food 

 is birds and their eggs, mice or shrews ; but he is preeminently 

 the fisherman of his family, and frequents the rocky brooks and 

 the sea side. Along the borders of the forest lake, his tracks, 

 and the pile of clam shells attest his industry. Many an unlucky 



