450 The Mink. 



formerly inhabited Britain ; and tlie American beaver is identical 

 ■witli the European species. Between the southern extremities of 

 the old and new worlds no such affinities exist. We believe the 

 fauna of South America is totally different from that of Africa. 



This animal is an expert hunter, and although of an aquatic 

 habit, subsists much upon birds, mice, and other small animals. 

 Audubon gives the following account of its exploits : — 



"There is a small brook, fed by several springs of pure water, 

 which, we have caused to be stopped by a stone dam to make a 

 pond for ducks in the summer and ice in the winter ; above the 

 pond is a rough bank of stones through which the water filters 

 into the pond. There is a little space near this where the sand 

 and gravel have formed a diminutive' beach. The ducks descend- 

 ing to the water are compelled to pass near this stony bank. 

 Here a Mink had fixed his quarters with certainly a degree of 

 judgment and audacity worthy of high praise, for no settlement 

 could promise to be more to his mind. At early dawn the crow- 

 ing of several fine cocks, the cackling of many hens and chickens, 

 and the paddling, splashing, and quacking of a hundred old and 

 young ducks would please his ears ; and by stealing to the edge 

 of the bank of stones, with his body nearly concealed between two 

 large pieces of broken granite, he could look around and see the 

 unsuspecting ducks within a yard or two of his lurking place. 

 When thus on the look out, dodging his head backward and 

 forward he waits until one of them has approached close to him, 

 and then with a rush seizes the bird by the neck, and in a 

 moment disappears with it between the rocks. He has not, how- 

 ever, escaped unobserved, and like other rogues deserves to be 

 punished for having taken what did not belong to him. We 

 draw near the spot, gun in hand, and after waiting some time in 

 vain for the appearance of the Mink, we cause some young ducks 

 to be gently di^iven down to the pond — diving for worms or food 

 of various kinds while danger so imminent is near them — intent 

 only on the objects they are pursuing, they turn not a glance 

 toward the dark crevice where we can now see the bright eyes of 

 the Mink as he lies concealed. The unsuspecting bird remind us 

 of some of the young folks in that large pond we call the world 

 where, alas ! they may be in greater danger than our poor ducks 

 or chickens. Now we see a fine hen descend to the water ; cau- 

 tiously she steps on the sandy margin and dipping her bill in the 

 clear stream, sips a few drops and raises her head as if in gratitude 



