52 



individual in this comity was at Pound Ridge during the 

 winter of 1890, when Mr. George Isaacs secured a specimen 

 and stated that others were occasionally caught there. 



Mephitis mephitica (Shaw). Skunk. 



The Skunk is one of the most common mammals of the 

 comity. It is probably much more so now than formerly, 

 since the forest land has been converted into farms. In the 

 Province of New Brunswick, Canada, I found the Skunk not 

 micommon about the settlements, but never met with it in 

 the deep forests. It seems to prefer to take up its residence 

 somewhere near the abode of man, where a convenient hen- 

 house or garbage barrel affords him a variety of dainty morsels 

 with which to vary his usual diet of insects, grubs, and birds' 

 eggs. 



The Skunk is much trapped for its fur hi this district. 

 There is wide variation in the color pattern and skins range 

 in value from 40 cents to #1.25, according to the extent of 

 the white stripes, the black skunk being the most valuable. 



Skunks, although capable of excavating entire burrows 

 usually frequent in this neighborhood old and deserted Wood- 

 chuck holes ; hi some cases remodeling the interior to suit 

 their individual fancy. 



They propagate rapidly in captivity and I recently read of 

 a " skunk farm " which was located in Livingston Co., N. Y., 

 where they were raised exclusively for their pelts (Warner u ). 



Putorius vison lutreocephalus (Harlan). Southeastern 



Mink. 



The Mink is still common hi the county in suitable situa- 

 tions and is extensively trapped for its fur, which is one of 

 the most valuable now harvested here. A prime mink skin 

 taken here is now worth from 50 cents to $1.50, according to 

 size and color, but the price is subject to periodical fluctuation. 

 This is not owing to any variation in the supply of mink fur, 



