LITTLE BEASTS OF FIELD AND WOOD 



This is also the experience of trappers in 

 general, and may be verified by any one who 

 cares to take the trouble to look into the matter. 

 Evidently no one has ever discovered a mink in 

 a state of hibernation, — at any rate, no such 

 case appears ever to have been reported ; but 

 this does not necessarily prove that it is not a 

 regular habit among them. 



The cry of the mink is seldom heard, even in 

 places where they are fairly abundant, as they 

 have evidently learned that the greatest safety 

 lies in silence. It is a peculiarly shrill, rattling, 

 whistle-like scream that can be heard at a con- 

 siderable distance. 



It is remarkable that so large an animal as 

 the otter should still hold its own in com- 

 paratively thickly settled districts throughout 

 the country, and be practically unknown to any 

 except naturalists and a few others. I have 

 talked with old trappers who have followed the 

 business for years, and could tell correctly at a 



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