66 Field and Forest Rambles. 



bare at all seasons. Like the sable, it turns hoary on the head ; 

 moreover, in case its dark colour, longer legs, and larger frame 

 might render it conspicuous in the snow, the white extends 

 to the tips of the hairs on the neck and head, as in the sable. 

 The length of the body, exclusive of the tail, is not over twenty- 

 five inches, as I ascertained from specimens in the flesh. It 

 preys at all seasons on fish, squirrels, or whatever favourite 

 land or fresh-water animal happens to come in its way, in the 

 capture of which it is said to display remarkable adroitness, 

 Trappers familiar with its habits state it has two litters within 

 the year, and from five to eight on each occasion, which would 

 be remarkable fecundity, even allowing for the numbers 

 captured and its general distribution. Perhaps the biannual 

 breeding may not be regular. During heavy falls of snow, 

 when the carnivorous quadrupeds are hard pressed for sub- 

 sistence, and also when the temperature is very low, seldom 

 any of the mustelinae appear, hence it is a current opinion 

 that they sleep for short periods in midwinter ; indeed, it 

 has often appeared to me surprising how they manage, to 

 obtain subsistence at this season even on ordinary occasions. 

 The smaller weasels that can prowl under the snow after 

 mice do, doubtless, fare well; but such as the mink, pekan, 

 and raccoon, with the rivers closed and the hares under 

 the pine boughs buried in the snow, and the squirrel high up 

 on the tops of the pines, must have often a hard struggle 

 for existence. 



There cannot be a doubt that the SKUNK hibernates in 

 this district, very few being seen between October and April. 

 It is the least agile of any of the native polecats, and can be 

 overtaken without difficulty ; this defect, however, is made up 

 by its powerful means of defence. The foetid odours evolved 

 by the mustelinae in general most assuredly attains the extreme 

 of pungency in the skunk, and it is remarkable to observe its 

 wide diffusion. I remember driving, one dark night, along a 

 highway, when the effluvium of a skunk was perceived for 



