Weasels, the Ermine, and Pekari. 65 



half an inch beyond the tip. This weasel is brown above in 

 summer, with white upper lips and lower parts, the latter more 

 or less tinged with sulphur-yellow ; the hairs on the dorsum of 

 the feet greyish-brown ; tail always tipped with black for about 

 two inches. The winter pilage is white, with the yellowish 

 tinge on the hips and belly. The tubercles of the feet are 

 obscured by hair in winter, and to a less extent in summer. 

 As regards its summer pilage and size, it is closely allied to 

 the European weasel (M. vulgaris). 



The winter coat shows a dense woolly fur, which is rapidly 

 attained — indeed, so soon that I have seen it completed in the 

 course of two weeks after the first fall of snow, when, as in 

 many of the other indigenous quadrupeds and birds, there is 

 also an absolute increase in the weight, caused by additional 

 layers of fat all over the body. It is said to bring forth four 

 to five young at each litter, and breeds two to three times 

 during the year, which accounts for the plentiful distribution 

 of the species. 



The Pekan, or Fisher Cat, so closely allied to the mink 

 in habits, is becoming rare in this region ; individuals, how- 

 ever, are met with, but they more often make their presence 

 known to the trapper by carrying off the baits from sable and 

 mink traps. This the pekan readily accomplishes, owing to 

 superior strength and agility ; even when caught in fox-traps, 

 it has been known to bite off the captured limb.* 



Like others of its family it bounds on the ground, springing 

 (as I have seen often) five feet at one leap on soft snow. Here 

 again, as in the mink, there is often present, and as frequently 

 absent, a little grey patch on the throat, in others on the belly 

 between the fore and hind legs. 



In all the specimens I have examined, the footpads were 



* I am indebted to Mr. Sills, of Fredericton, a gentleman of great 

 forest experience and much discernment, for several valued data in con- 

 nection with the habits and haunts of these and other quadrupeds of New 

 Brunswick. 



F 



