Frs., 1912. Mammats or ILtinois AND WIScONSIN—CoRY. 379 
and it will, therefore, undoubtedly be found to occur in northern 
Illinois and Indiana. I can see no reason why the Lesser Weasel, 
P. pusillus, given by Kennicott as occurring in Indiana and northern 
Illinois should not be this form. He gives the length from nose to root 
of tail as about six inches and tail vertebree not exceeding two inches, 
and says: ‘‘ There can be no difficulty in distinguishing it from all others, 
not only by its dimensions, but by the very short tail, which is destitute 
of the black tip characteristic of the rest, although the extremity is 
sometimes dusky” (J. ¢., p. 245). 
Very little is known regarding the habits of this little Weasel, but 
they probably do not differ from others of this tribe. On account of its 
diminutive size, however, it would probably not be very destructive to 
poultry and no doubt preys largely upon small animals, such as Mice, 
insects and small birds, as does its diminutive European cousin. 
Specimens examined from Wisconsin: 
Wisconsin — (M. P. M.) Sumpter, Sauk Co., 1; Merrimac, Sauk Co., 1; 
Prescott, Pierce Co., 1=3. 
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Map illustrating the supposed distribution of the Least Weasels (Putorius rixosus and P.r. alle~ 
ibaa in eastern United States and Canada. The two forms probably intergrade in eastern 
innesota. 
Putorius rixosus Bangs. (Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., X, 1896, p.21.) Type locality — 
Osler, Saskatchewan, Canada. Size very small, smallest of our Weasels. 
Putorius r. allegheniensis Rhoads. Type locality — Near Beallsville, Washington 
Co., Penn. Larger than rixosus; description as previously given. 
