296 . THE ZOOLOGIST. 



Putorius vison (Mink). — Uncommon. The only one I obtained 

 was taken in a gin. The usual plan for trapping is to make a 

 hole part way through the top of a Musk-Rat house, and there 

 place a trap, for when the Mink is hunting Rats, of which its winter 

 food principally consists, it is sure to try to enter by the hole 

 already partially made. 



Lepus americanus (locally called Rabbit). — Has been to a 

 great extent killed off in this district by a succession of prairie 

 fires. It inhabits bush country, and never appears to make its 

 form in the open. I saw no young ones, but was told by half- 

 breeds that they have from three to four at a litter, generally 

 under a fallen tree, not in a burrow. They are easily snared 

 in wires. 



Fiber zibethicus (Musk-Rat). — More plentiful this year than 

 they have been for many preceding ones. The skin of these 

 animals is the principal fur taken here. Many thousands are 

 trapped annually, their bodies forming one of the chief articles of 

 an Indian's winter diet. The young are born in a hole in the 

 bank, not in the Rat-house. Trapping these is a very simple 

 matter, as you only have to find a sheet of water too deep to 

 freeze to the bottom, and containing Rat-houses. Make a hole 

 in the top of each house till you can feel the platform used by 

 the Rats on emerging from the water. Place a trap on this and 

 close the hole again carefully to prevent the water-hole freezing. 

 You will probably have one in a very short time, when the process 

 can be repeated till the house is cleared out, and then the water- 

 hole will freeze. The houses contain from two to five Rats. 



Spermophilus richardsoni (Grey Gopher). — Very numerous. 

 They live in colonies in burrows on the open prairie, and are a 

 great nuisance to grain-growers, as they gnaw off the straw at the 

 first joint when about eighteen inches high (it is said for moisture), 

 sometimes clearing a space of an acre or two as if mown. They 

 also store grain for the winter. At time of going into winter 

 quarters they are very fat, and are then much sought after 

 by Indians as food. Colour varies from pale grey in winter 

 to quite a yellow tinge in summer. Last seen in fall, 1901, on 

 October 20th. First seen in spring, 1902, on April 1st. Easily 

 caught in gins. 



S. tridecemlineatus (Striped Gopher). — Not very common. 



