33° REPORT OF THE FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 



The skunk {Mephitis mephitis putida) is widely distributed throughout North 

 America. In Texas and the southwestern states the fur of an allied species known 

 as the hydrophobia skunk, characterized by a narrow white stripe down the back, has 

 recently become quite fashionable. The fur of a common skunk is known among 

 furriers as "Alaska sable." 



All the Mustelidae 'are provided with an offensive odor, but it is only in the 

 skunk that this scent is sufficiently developed to be protective. When deprived 

 by a simple operation of its power of offense the skunk can be tamed and made 

 a most attractive and interesting pet, although it will probably not become 

 popular in that capacity. The strongly marked coloring of its coat serves as 

 certain identification and consequently is a protection against attack. The skunk 

 is one of the few animals which appear indifferent to the presence of man, and it 

 will scarcely take trouble to get out of his road. Fortunately it is nocturnal in its 

 habits, or it would more frequently be seen. 



The reputation of the skunk is far worse than it deserves to be. This animal 

 is of value to the husbandman for the thoroughness with which it destroys mice 

 and insects, although it occasionally raids hen-roosts. Like the porcupine, the 

 skunk hibernates only during the severest portion of the winter. 



The Adirondack mink {Putorins vison) belongs to the type subspecies which 

 extends throughout Canada westward to the Rocky Mountains, north to the Arctic 

 Ocean, and southward into the Adirondacks. It is closely related to the 

 European and Siberian mink. 



DeKay, in his natural history, suggests that there are two varieties in the 

 North Woods, one the mountain mink, small and black, and the other a water 

 mink, large and of a chestnut-red color. We have had nothing in recent times 

 to confirm the existence of these two types. 



The mink is a restless animal, making regular trips along fixed routes on the 

 shores of streams or lakes. It is a fierce little beast, feeding chiefly on fish, which 

 it catches with great dexterity. It is fond of crayfish, and is destructive to 

 muskrats. Chicken roosts are often invaded by this small marauder, and many 

 a fisherman who has left his trout on the bank has been robbed by this 

 animal. 



The mink has been the victim of much persecution on account of its beautiful 

 fur, but if given half a chance would easily recover its original numbers in the 



