HABITS OF MINKS 
inches long, a quarter of which belongs to the somewhat 
bushy tail. Normally in the East it is chestnut-brown, with 
a white spot on the chin and sometimes others 
below, and the tail darkening toward its end. 
The animal is distributed practically all over the continent, 
regardless of civilization, which interferes little with its mak- 
ing a living. Alaskan and Pacific-coast examples are larger 
and darker, while those of the Gulf states are lighter both in 
weight and color. A second, rather small, species is found 
in the South Atlantic states, russet in color, with irregular 
white markings on the chin and under parts, and the tail chest- 
nut toward the tip. A mink is well known in northern Eu- 
rope, and another species contributes fine dark pelts from 
Siberia. The fur of all northern kinds is of great beauty and 
value when taken early in the season; and the trapping of 
minks not only engages the attention of a surprising number 
of professional trappers in every part of the Union and of Can- 
ada, but puts many a dollar into the pockets of farm boys 
winter after winter. Moreover, in many localities, more or 
less success has followed the keeping and breeding of minks 
in captivity for the sake of their fur, and also to dispose of 
young ones to be trained as ratters. 
Our literature of natural history, from Coues’s studied mono- 
graph ** to the half-poetic notes of Thoreau, abounds in bio- 
graphical materials, —none more truthful and vivid than 
those in the books of W. E. Cram.*?° 
Mink. 
“Minks,” says this observer, in part, “‘combine the habits of the land 
and water hunters more successfully perhaps than any other animal. In 
warm weather they are fond of exploring wet swamps and low lands, where 
they find an abundance of frogs and lizards, and dig all sorts of grubs, 
beetles, and earthworms from the black, peaty soil and leaf mold around 
old, weather-beaten stumps and rotten logs. They are most inveterate 
nest robbers and mousers, chasing the little blunt-headed, furry meadow 
mice along their runways in the thick grass being their favorite sport. 
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