1 
TjTA rUKNTVDTlA. xlv 
part of the liead, and a wide niaroin to the upper 
Oat and Skunk. 'I’he fur of this species is at times 
jaw, are white. Tlie feet are yellowish-white, but 
in great request as a fashionable winter article of dress. 
there is no white about the ears. Compared with 
'I'he specific name lutreola was given it by Forster, 
summer specimens of the Ermine from Northern 
in token of its Otter-like resemblances. It is the 
Sweden, tlie size is much less; the tail, perhaps, a 
Mustela vison of Brisson, Cuvier, Harlan, Maximil- 
little long-er ; the terminal hairs shorter ; the black 
ian, Scrieber and Gmelin ; Mustela (Putorius) vison 
tip less extensive, occupying not more than half the 
of Richardson ; Lutra vison of Shaw. Putorius lutre- 
total length, instead of nearly two thirds. 'I'he end 
ola of Europe is smaller than our species, and has 
of the vertebrffi falls considerably in advance of the 
the edges of the upper lip white, which never occurs 
posterior third of the black tip, instead of consider- 
on the American Mink. 
ably behind it, as in P. erminea. The winter sped- 
LITTLE BLACK MINK (Putorius nigrescens, Aud. 
men differs in about the same characters. The 
and Bach.) — This is not thoroughly established as a 
animal is about the size of the American P. cicog- 
distinct species, though it appears under the above 
nanii, which it otherwise greatly resembles and 
title in Audubon and Bachman’s work. Prof. Baird 
represents. The tail is, however, shorter, thicker. 
reluctantly admits it, without having had an oppor- 
and the terminal hairs are longer. The black tip occu- 
tunity to determine tlie matter by an examination of 
pies, likewise, a larger portion of the tail.” — Baird. 
a sufficient number of specimens. It is the species 
BRIDLED WEASEL {Putorius frenatus, Aud. and 
that furnishes the best fur of the Mink, being nearer 
Bach.) — This species is readily distinguished from 
the Russian Sable in quality than any other. In size. 
other Amei'ican forms, except P. xanthogenys, by 
it is smaller than the common variety, with a chest- 
the curious patch of yellowish-white ou the forehead. 
nut-brown color, glossed with black, 'i’he tail is al- 
and another anterior to each ear. It is quite abun- 
most entirely black ; the end of the chin is white. 
dant around Matamoras and Brownsville, Texas, but 
Specimens are found in Massachusetts and as far 
is not known farther north. 
west as Kansas. 
YELLOW-CHEEKED WEASEL {Putorius xantho- 
BLACK-FOOTED FERRET (Putorius nigripes, Aud. 
genys, Baird). — 'J’his is peculiar to the California 
and Bach.) — Audubon and Bachman describe this 
Coast. It is closely allied to P. frenatus in general 
species as of the size of the Pine Marten; tail, with 
characteristics, in tint and pattern of coloration. 
hairs, one third the whole length of head and body ; 
1 
The ears are rather more acute than in the last 
forehead, feet and end of tail, black ; body yellow- 
species, and not so broad at the base. The toes are 
ish-brown above, white beneath. 
longer, and less fully webbed ; the under surfaces of 
PERUVIAN WEASEL (Mustela agilis).—FoY want 
all the feet are more densely furred. As its name 
of a better common name, we adopt the above, no 
indicates, it has three patches of yellow on the 
other being recorded, as far as we have seen, 'i’he 
cheeks. The upper parts and sides are a chestnut- 
term agilis can hardly be assumed to be distinctive 
brown; a dull brownish on the belly; a paler tint 
of habits, as no mention is made of this species be- 
is on the chin ; there is a yellow spot on the top 
ing more fleet or sprightly than others. It would 
of the muzzle, anterior to the eye, and a patch of 
seem, then, appropriate enough to call it the Peru- 
the same commences acutely about midway on the 
vian Weasel, inasmuch as it is said to be the only 
edge of the upper lip, and passes in a sub-crescentic 
species found in South America. “ M. agilis (not 
direction behind the eye, about half way between it 
of Audubon and Bacliman) is very slender in form, 
and the ear, though not getting as high as the upper 
with a small and pointed head ; the tail much shorter 
edge of the latter ; the whole space between the ear 
than the body. The head, back and tail are reddish- 
and the border, just described, is occupied by this 
gray, the latter a little darkish at the tip ; the under 
color ; there is a dusky spot on each side of the 
parts generally are grayish-white ; the base of the 
lower jaw ; the upper part of the head is a little 
hairs above is gray; then follows a broad, grayish- 
deeper in color, though far from having the intensity 
yellow ring, succeeded by a reddish-brown tip ; the 
of P. frenata ; the tail is like the back, dusky at 
liead above is either entirely dark brown, or with a 
the tip. 
white border to the upper lip. 'I’he length of body 
COMMON MINK (Putorius vison, Gapper). — This 
to root of the tail is 9.10 inches ; the tail, 4.4f 
is the most familiar species in our North-eastern 
inches ; the head, inches, 'riiis species, a 
States, and is found in every farm-yard, oftentimes 
true Putorius, differs materially from the larger 
much to the annoyance of the farmer. It is a true 
North American Weasels in the absence of a 
Weasel, though it does not altogether resemble the 
black tip to the short tail — in this respect, resem- 
smaller species. The popular term Mink is said to be 
bling the P. cicognanii. It probably bears a near 
corrupted from the early Swedish MmnTc. 'I'he hunters 
resemblance to P. boccamela of Italy. 'I’he lack 
recognize two varieties — the Mountain Mink and 
of white or yellow blotches ou the forehead dis- 
Water Mink. It lives exclusively near ponds or rivu- 
tinguishes it from either P. frenata or xanthogenys. 
lets, feeding on fishes and mollusca. In habits, it re- 
It inhabits the cold and barren plateaus of the Peru- 
sembles the Otter. Pennant regarded it as so like. 
vian Cordilleras, and is the only true Weasel well 
that he called it the Lesser Otter. It swims and 
established as iidiabiting the southern half of the 
dives with great facility, and has the power to re- 
continent.” — Baird. 
main submerged a long time. It has a very offen- 
'I’he P. agilis was described by Tschudi in his 
sive odor, likened by some to a mixture of that of the 
Fauna Peruana, 1844-G. 
