SMALL MAMMALS COLLECTED IN CANADA. 295 



Taxidea taxus (Badger). — Not nearly so common now as a 

 few years ago. These were also taken with hounds, except one, 

 drowned out. They are hardly ever seen by day if the weather is 

 fine, but on dull, misty days seem to travel a good deal. 



Vulpes fulva (Fox). — Fairly plentiful. Their skins form one 

 of the principal trade furs of the district, prices varying from 

 2-|° dollars for an ordinary Red Fox, to 150 dollars for a Silver 

 Fox. The latter is very rare, only one being taken by an Indian in 

 the season 1901-2. They are taken with hounds, shot, or trapped. 

 I fancy they kill a considerable number of Newts, as I could 

 often see Newts' tails strewn round large stones near a lake, 

 where I could only find Fox tracks. 



Mephitis hudsonia (Skunk). — A few years ago these animals 

 were fairly plentiful, but are now getting scarce. I shot mine ; but 

 the Indians find where they are lying up for the winter, five or 

 six in a hole, and smoke them out. When annoyed they smell 

 very bad, and great care must be taken in skinning not to cut 

 the gland containing the scent, which is placed immediately 

 under the skin just below the anus. I found it best to remove the 

 gland before commencing to skin. When killed by hounds the 

 smell causes these animals to froth at the mouth, roll on the 

 ground, and bite up mouthfuls of earth, but it does not appear to 

 frighten them from going for the next one they see. The scent is 

 very lasting. I took particular note of a terrier which killed one, 

 with the idea of seeing how long I could notice the smell, but 

 unfortunately after a month she killed another, so I could not 

 tell, but up to that time it was quite unpleasant, particularly if 

 she got wet. I am rather inclined to think, from the quivering 

 motion of the Skunk's tail when attacked, that the scent is ejected 

 on to the tail, and flung from that on to the animal attacking. 

 They are very destructive if allowed to get into a hen-house, 

 killing a large number of the birds, which they neither eat nor 

 carry away. 



Putorius longicaudus and P. cicognani (Ermine). — Not very 

 common. These are locally called Weasels when alive, but Ermine 

 as fur. Mine were trapped with either beef liver or "Prairie 

 Chicken " heads. The same caution as applies to Skunks requires 

 to be observed in skinning, but the smell is not nearly so strong 

 or lasting. Their habits appear to be the same as those of the 

 English Stoat. 



