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APPENDIX. 
turn perfectly white in winter in this latitude, as well as farther 
north. 
THE LEAST WEASEL. 
PUTORIUS VULGARIS— Griff. . 
One specimen of this pretty little creature was procured near 
Boulder. 
THE MINK. 
Putorius VISON — Gapp. 
This common animal is represented by several specimens. 
THE AMERICAN FERRET. 
Putorius nigripes — Aud. & Bach. 
Mrs. Maxwell’s collection contains several specimens of this 
extremely interesting animal, unknown to naturalists until within 
a few years. It was originally described by Audubon and Bach- 
man ; but subsequently lost sight of until recently, when a few 
specimens reached the Smithsonian from different localities in 
the West. It appears to be not at all rare in some portions of 
Colorado, especially about the plains at the foot of the mountains, 
where it lives among the prairie-dogs and feeds upon them. Two 
individuals were captured by being “ drowned out ” of prairie- 
dog holes, and another was trapped. Mrs. Maxwell kept one 
alive for some time. It became quite tame, readily submitting 
to be handled, though it was furious when first caught. It was 
kept in a wire cage and fed on beef. When irritated, it hissed 
and spat like an angry cat. It used to hide by covering itself 
over with the material of which its nest was composed, but at 
times, especially at night, it was very active and restless. 
THE COMMON SKUNK. 
Mephitis mephitica — Bd. 
This animal is far too numerous in Colorado, especially about 
the settlements in the foot-hills and on the prairie. 
THE LITTLE STRIPED SKUNK. 
Mephitis putorius — Coues. 
Rather common in the mountains and foot-hills, but less so 
than the last. 
THE BADGER. 
TAXIDEA AMERICANA — Bd. 
In the specimens examined in Mrs. Maxwell’s collection the 
white stripe runs down over the shoulders, showing an approach 
