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

heir poultry whenever an opportunity pre-
tents itself. Its tenacity of life is very great,
and il will defend itself under circumstances,
or emerge unframed from positions, in which
immediate destruction would seem to have
been inevitable. When caught by their legs in
steel traps, animals of various kinds often free
themselves by
AMPUTATING THE LIMB WITH THEIR TEETH;
but mink so captured, tears its paws like
tiger shot through the spine and paralyzed. ct
bites the part beyond the jaws of the trap" not
with the design of getting free, but in a frenzy
excited by the sense of heplessness and by pain.
In like manner the teeth are constantly broken
by tearing at the metallic framework by which
IL is held. IL approached at this moment, its
countenance, COues remarks, "has always
struck me as the most nearly dabolcal of any
thing in animal physiognomy. Its
broad, low head, short ears, small eyes, piggsh
snout, and formidable teeth" constitute an
ensemble always expressive of the lower and
more brutal passions, all of which are intensi
fed at such times"
Minks cannot climb and arboreal animals
aud birds are generally secure against their
attacks Nevertheless, they will kill anything
weaker than themselves that can be eaten.
Whether, like weasels, they continue 10 destroy
life long after their needs have been satisfied,
the writer cannot say. since reports diametric-
ally opposite on this point arc offered by equal
ly reliable authorities. So far from iorsaking
those regions which have been invaded by man,
these creatures utilize his presence in many
ways. mil-site is always n favorite resort of
theirs, and farmyards, barns, grauarics and
cultivated lands afford them increased means
of subsistence, both on account of che poultry
whose blood they suck, and also because of the
increase thus given 10 the number Of those
small rodents upon which they prey. Added
10 these reasons for their remaining i'm the
nf = hat
are not migratory, and seldom go far from their
homes. unless, as in the case of the otter, they
are driven abroad by starvation
Although powerful in proportion to its size,
and capable of carrying away spois which APP
pear 10 surpass its strength, Putorius does not
seem to be endowed with any extraordinary
agility. or at least this is not exhibited in their
operations while on land. The slender. active
weasel far exceeds the former in dexterity and
raPidity of motion, and the more massive con-
formation of their bodies prevents, as n rule.
the pursuit of game under ground. When out
OF water, IN which they appear TO be more at
home than on shore,
MISIls GENERALLY HUNT IN THE OPEN,
and their courageous and persistent attacks owe
their success less 10 superior physical powers
than 20 the qualities of daring and patience.
In America muks have been extensively
raised and trained as ratters. They are closely
related TO the European ferret which has been
systematically prOpagated and similarly in-
stTuctcd with much success. According TO the
observations made of Them in minkeries the
animals are quite gentle, tractable aud COM
monty soictous for notice from their keepers.
Their numbers multiply rapidly, but il has been
found that if the sexes arc confined together,
females. except during the pairing season, are
apt TO be- maltreated by the males. The usual
proportion IN minkcries is six of tho former TO
one of the latter. in March the males fight
desperately, aud II allowed TO remain together,
single animal would in time obtain the mas.
terry, and appropriate all his associates com.
pauious Of the other sex. One litter is pro-
duced annually; CESSATION lasts six weeks and
the females reproduce when they are year
old. Tame minks act very efficiently as ratters,
says Coues, hunting vigorously. and soon ex-
terminating these pests. Besides the actual
destruction which thoy effect however rats fly
from their presence rs soon as they arc scented.
When caught, as is almost invariably the case
after having once been seen or detected by their
Od0r, these ordinarily most nstute aud bold
vermin seem 10 lose all tho qualities which
could contribute TO their escape in the Devil.
dermeDt Of fear, aud their enemy puts au end 10
them by scvering the great vessels Of the
throat. Upon the whole, the harm minks do is
probably counterbalanced by the good that
they effect Their pelts are valuable, aud az
according 10 the conventional classification they
are placed among vermin, mankind have out
lAwed them. Everywhere men of all Glasses
conEpire . destroy these animals, and IN accord
ance with their immemora custom under such
circumstances give them q bad name That
THIS. however, j. better deserved than is the
case with other creatures whose regulations we
bave seen 10 be uujust3fed 10y reliable evidence,
does not appear from those sources Of informa-
ton which are known 20 the writer
To be continued