Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 6 (1902).djvu/350

296 Putorius vison (Mink).—Uncommon. The only one I obtained was taken in a gin. The usual plan for trapping is to make a hole part way through the top of a Musk-Rat house, and there place a trap, for when the Mink is hunting Rats, of which its winter food principally consists, it is sure to try to enter by the hole already partially made.

Lepus americanus (locally called Rabbit).—Has been to a great extent killed off in this district by a succession of prairie fires. It inhabits bush country, and never appears to make its form in the open. I saw no young ones, but was told by half-breeds that they have from three to four at a litter, generally under a fallen tree, not in a burrow. They are easily snared in wires.

Fiber zibethicus (Musk-Rat).—More plentiful this year than they have been for many preceding ones. The skin of these animals is the principal fur taken here. Many thousands are trapped annually, their bodies forming one of the chief articles of an Indian's winter diet. The young are born in a hole in the bank, not in the Rat-house. Trapping these is a very simple matter, as you only have to find a sheet of water too deep to freeze to the bottom, and containing Rat-houses. Make a hole in the top of each house till you can feel the platform used by the Rats on emerging from the water. Place a trap on this and close the hole again carefully to prevent the water-hole freezing. You will probably have one in a very short time, when the process can be repeated till the house is cleared out, and then the waterhole will freeze. The houses contain from two to five Rats.

Spermophilus richardsoni (Grey Gopher).—Very numerous. They live in colonies in burrows on the open prairie, and are a great nuisance to grain-growers, as they gnaw off the straw at the first joint when about eighteen inches high (it is said for moisture), sometimes clearing a space of an acre or two as if mown. They also store grain for the winter. At time of going into winter quarters they are very fat, and are then much sought after by Indians as food. Colour varies from pale grey in winter to quite a yellow tinge in summer. Last seen in fall, 1901, on October 20th. First seen in spring, 1902, on April 1st. Easily caught in gins.

S. tridecemlineatus (Striped Gopher).—Not very common.