150 FAMILIAR LIFE IN FIELD AND FOREST. 



ingly strong for so small an animal, and sagacious to 

 a surprising degree, it is on record that he has dragged 

 a mallard duck more than a mile to reach his hole 

 and share the game with his mate. The writer * says : 

 " As we followed the line we could easily trace the 

 wide trail of the mallard as it was dragged bodily 

 along over the fresh snow, and the deep penetration 

 of its claws into the new ice spoke volumes of the 

 force exerted by the small animal in the completion 

 of so severe an undertaking." 



"When the mink is caught young, and tamed, he 

 makes not only a good ratter but an interesting pet, 

 although he resents any careless stepping on his feet 

 or tail by using his sharp teeth with decisive effect. 

 In his native wilds he is not a very timid animal, as 

 may be inferred from the experience of Dr. Abbott.f 



* An anonymous writer in Forest and Stream. 



f " It was past noon, and rest was the order of the hour. What 

 creatures I saw moved with great leisure, as if annoyed that they 

 had to move at all. The mink crept along the prostrate log as 

 though stiff in every joint, but when at the end of his short journey 

 I whistled shrilly, with what animation he stood erect and stared 

 in the direction of the sound ! Half concealed as I was, the mink 

 saw nothing to arouse his suspicions ; he was mei'ely curious or 

 puzzled ; he was thinking. ... He did not move a muscle, but 

 stared at me. Then I commenced whistling in a low tone, and 

 the animal became more excited ; he moved his head from side to 

 side, as if in doubt, and needed but a slight demonstration on my 

 part to convert this doubting into fear. I whistled more loudly, 

 and moved my arms; in an instant the mink disappeared." — Out- 

 ings at Odd Times. C. C. Abbott. 



