The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-05-29

hollows worn By drainage on the hanks OF those
streams whose shores they frequent. Asa rule,
the habits or minks arc nocturnal, but while
tie loVe-seas0D lasts they seem 10 rest neither
during night nor day. The general testimony
or Observer If 10 the effect that al this time
the conduct Of the male exhibits an unccasing
FestIessncss, and that lac travels about contin-
UElly from one dwellinG-p place TO another, visit
ing the females, who at this period remain at
home.
Their young are born both naked and blind,
and IN this latter state they remain during the
first Eve weeks Of life. At this time the pelage
presents q darker hue than when the animal is
mature. IL j.. however. Characteristic Of the
species that It's members continue 20 grow paler
with age, and that their skins thicken as the
pelt loses color. Growth does not cease with
sexual completeness. bat considerably 0utlasts
the attainment Of entire reproductive energy.
Phygi0l0gicaliy connected with this last fnnc-
tioB, - would seem 20 be- proved by the fact that
trzpperE use the secretion like cast0Teum, is
The unusual degree Of development reached by
the scent glands Of Lutreola. Above that Of
81 other divisions Of their group except the
skunk, say many. but not all, authorities, this
fuid among mimks s powerful and offensive.
As "a the case Of their allies however, discharge
only occurs when the creature is angered, ex-
cited or terrified. Still, being by nature timid
eapriciOUs aud irritable, this Circumstance can
scarcely he regarded Is a sufficient guarantee
ARaiHst accident by those who contemplate the
ninkG dOmestication. From Hearne down,
writers upon this subject have Pot in evidence
the facility with which they can be tanned when
taken young. 50 far a. the writer's knowledge
extends they exhibit no marked tendencies 10
actual vice Of any kind except bad temper.
and although said 70 be fierce while feeding,
they are generally represented as more trouble
some on account Of their opportunities for
90 sfFFN 49, n
behavior.
The literature 81 this subject hardly affords
important data with regard 10 the degree Of
intelligence manifested by nnks either Ia a
state u nature or IN captivity. Audubon states
thai they establish Themselves ia localities
likely 70 be favorable " with degree Of iudg-
nent and audacity worthy Of high praise.U On
the other hand most unrecaimed creatures do
tie same thing, aud a degree OF timidity and
EiDpidty which could induce wild animals "a
seek iocallties where they arc 10 danger Of per.
ifhing from priyatiOn l. by no means common
The SANG author also assures us that lie had 3
tame mink
WHO wENT FIsHISG OF ITS oWs ACCOUNT
tn tie morning and evening, aud then ere
turned 10 the house Of lis own accord" Thu
a. only 20 say that IL was dOnesticated, and
numerous instances Of like conduct upon ID,
part Of many Of the feF8 might be quoted
COntraTiwise, also DIR. COncs says that Will,
On the Mouse River, IN Northern Dakota. IA,
and companion procured a large number o
minks without difficulty. In addition 10 ou
steel traps" he continues, +" we built numerOu
ceaaialls aud were equally successful with boil
means. The miDks were not At all wary ab0u
the traps. Any c0Htriyanoe by which a sinai
log could be made 10 fall against another O,
touching q trigger, the bait being covered s.
that the animal could only reach it from th
desired position, suiiiced perfectly we'll" Con
tTasted with the wariBess and foresight dis
played by a number Of creatures noticed II
FORMER sketches. this certainly argues rather
low grade Of intellect. nor is such a conclusion
traFersed by the fact the guadrupeds IN question
inhabited remote locality, and had not be
come acquainted with the destructive device
Of human beings, because it has CONSTANT,
been found that many other creatures hav
acted very differently under like circumstances
Zo0logicaiy the mink is identical with ID
weasel, and has the same pryinR, inquigitiy
Character, and is charged with tile same nalipl
and blood-thirsty disposition It's scentin,
powers are extremely good, and IL pursuit o
unseen prey 1t will quarter the ground an,
otherwise conduct itself like a trained hunting
dog. An audacious and inyeterate thief /
Tobs a0Wlers Of their birds, fishermen Of tbei
catch. tortoises Of their eggs and farmers O