2 7 



under parts which are brown. I am having him mounted at 

 Wm. Harts, 12th St., New York." It would be interesting 

 to know where these Otters came from, as it is hardly prob- 

 able that they could have existed on the island all of this 

 time and eluded capture. It would seem to be more prob- 

 able that they occasionally stray to the island from the main- 

 land. 



Mephitis mephitica ( Shaw) . Eastern Skunk. 



The Eastern Skunk is common on Long Island but far 

 less numerous than formerly. This decrease in numbers I 

 am unable to account for, unless it be due to the poison used 

 in the potato fields to destroy the " potato bug." It is notice- 

 able that a decrease in their numbers appears to coincide with 

 the appearance of the Colorado Beetle or potato bug. The 

 food of the Skunk consists largely of beetles, and the potato 

 bug forms no insignificant item in its bill of fare. This 

 opinion as to the cause of their diminished numbers is still 

 further strengthened by the fact that the Skunk is as abun- 

 dant as ever at Montauk Point, where little or no farming is 

 done. 



Putorius vison lutreocephalus (Harlan). Southeastern 



Mink. 



The Mink is fairly common on Long Island wherever there 

 are suitable surroundings for its existence. They appear to 

 vary greatly in numbers from time to time, and they are 

 extensive wanderers, so that they may be here to-day and 

 to-morrow miles away. This disposition to wander appears to 

 be more noticeable in winter and early sprmg. 



Putorius cicognanii (Bonaparte). Bonaparte's Weasel. 



Of the presence of this species on Long Island, I have no 

 personal knowledge. DeKay in his Mammals of New York, 

 describes a small weasel under the name of Mustela fusca, 



