152 



NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA 66 



considerably smaller than either. It may readily be distinguished from 

 both these species by its very short tail and the complete lack of a 

 black tail tip. 



Measurements. — "Male : An adult or subadult from Fair Oaks, Pa., 

 a subadult from Finleyville, Pa., and an adult from Huttonsville, 

 W. Va., measure respectively as follows: Total length, 206, 194, 191 

 (average 197) ; length of tail, 37, 32, 28 (32) ; length of hind foot, 23 in 

 each. 



"Female : Two young from Leasuresville, Pa., and Middle Paxton 

 Twp., Pa., measure respectively, as follows: total length, 188, 172; 

 length of tail, 33, 30; length of hind foot, 20.5, 21." (Hall, 1951, p. 

 187-188.) 



Some of the cranial measurements listed by Hall (1951, p. 440-441) 

 of an adult male from Huttonsville, W. Va., and an adult female from 

 Beallsville, Pa., are Basilar length (of Hensel) 28.5, 28.0, zygomatic 

 breadth 16.7, 14.6 ; interorbital breadth 7.1, 6.2 ; mastoidal breadth 15.1, 

 13.5. 



Habitat and habits. — This species inhabits both the deep forests 

 and the fields and pastures within its range. It is a rare mammal how- 

 ever, and is seldom encountered. 



Little is known of its habits. Hamilton (1943, p. 139) says that nests 

 have been found beneath corn shocks, in shallow burrows bordering 

 streams, and in similar places. The few nests that have been dis- 

 covered were composed of grasses and mouse fur. Hamilton states that 

 the breeding habits of this species apparently differ from those of its 

 larger relatives. He says that young with unopened eyes have been 

 discovered in midwinter, while nest young and lactating females have 

 been found in Pennsylvania during October, January, and February. 

 These litters numbered from three to six young. The female parent was 

 always in attendance. From this he says that the young are probably 

 bom at various seasons and there is a likelihood of more than one litter 

 a year. 



Hall (1951, p. 177) says that food of the least weasel consists of 

 harvest mice, deer mice, meadow mice, red-backed mice, and possibly 

 insects. 



MINK 



Mustela vison mink Peale and Palisot de Beauvois 



Mustela mink Peale and Palisot de Beauvois. A scientific and descrip- 

 tive catalogue of Peal's museum, Philadelphia, p. 39, 1796. 



Type locality. — Maryland. 



General distribution. — Eastern United States from southeastern Maine, south 

 to coastal North Carolina, and inland (excepting the higher elevations of the 

 Appalachians) through Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia, and Alabama to 

 Missouri. 



