CAHN — MAMMALS OF MINNESOTA 
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seen and taken only occasionally. Doctor Kuh has the skins of several racoons 
taken in the vicinity of Lake Minnewanka, and ail are typical in size, color and 
markings. 
11. Badger. Taxidea taxus taxus (Schreber). — The badger must now be con- 
sidered very rare in Itasca County, and is rapidly approaching extinction in 
this area. Once not uncommon, it is now almost unknown. At Ely the writer 
found a skin of this animal that was taken within Itasca County during October 
of 1918, but the exact locality — other than that it came from the northwestern 
section — could not be ascertained. Mr. Dwigans has taken the animal several 
times in the county. 
12. Canadian Otter. Lutra canadensis canadensis (Schreber). — Common 
throughout the county, and steadily and rapidly increasing in numbers. Along 
the shores of Beaver Lake ‘‘otter runs” were in evidence. Several individuals 
were seen in Lake Minnewanka during the writer’s stay, and on the shore of 
Rice Lake five old signs were found, all being 100 per cent crayfish remains. 
With the otter as common as it is in Itasca County, it would not be amiss to 
open the trapping season for two years. If opened, however, the situation should 
be carefully watched by the game warden department and by competent ob- 
servers, and closed again at the end of that period if conditions warrant. 
13. Mink. Mustela vison letifera Hollister. — Common throughout the county, 
frequenting the lakes and rivers, where it feeds largely upon crayfish, frogs and 
some of the smaller shore fishes. Successfully trapped during the open season; 
the fur is of high grade both in quality and in color. 
14. Least Weasel. Mustela rixosa rixosa (Bangs). — This little weasel (length 
about 6| inches), easily recgonized by the absence of the black tip on the tail, 
is relatively common in spots, and is apparently local in distribution. Two indi- 
viduals were seen on August 14 near Cedar Lake. 
15. Short-tailed Weasel. Mustela cicognanii cicognanii Bonaparte. — Consid- 
siderably larger than the preceding (length about 12 inches), this weasel is told 
at a glance by the always present black tip of the tail. Several skins were seen 
at Ely, and one live individual was seen on July 30 at Lake Minnewanka. It 
seems possible that the long-tailed weasel (Mustela longicauda spadix Bangs) 
may occur occasionally, though this area probably is about the northern limit 
of the species. The writer was told that occasionally a much larger weasel, with 
a black tipped tail, is taken, which may well be this larger species. 
16. Skunk. Mephitis hudsonica (Richardson). — Abundant throughout the 
county, and often in evidence. During the summer of 1919, one of these animals 
insisted on living under the cabin floor, much to the joy of Bubbles, the family 
“badger dog,” who persisted in his endeavors to dig it out. These performances 
were unsuccessful in many ways, and were unpleasant particularly because 
Bubbles usually became interested about meal time. Every evening after dark 
the skunk wandered down to the garbage dump, and we could hear him rattling 
around for several hours. It is interesting to note that the dominant form is 
the “full stripe,” and Mr. Dwigans assures me that he has not had any “black” 
specimens among the many skunks which he has taken. 
17. Minnesota Varying Hare. Lepus americanus phceonotus Allen. — The only 
rabbit of which the writer could get any trace was the big “white rabbit” or' 
‘‘snow-shoe.” This interesting form is common, and was seen frequently during 
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