THE WOLVERENE. THE WOLVERENE. Gulo luscus.-SABINE. DESCRIPTION.-Head broad and rounded; jaws like the dog; ears low, rounded and much hidden by the fur: back arched; tail low and bushy; legs thick and short and the whole aspect of the animal indicates more strength than activity. Color dark brown, passing into almost black on the back in winter with a pale reddish brown band passing from each shoulder along the flanks and meeting on the rump. Fur similar to that of the bear, but not so long nor valuable. The tail is thickly covered with long black hair. Some white marking on the throat and between the fore legs; legs brownish black; claws strong and sharp. Length 2 feet 6 inches; tail (vertebræ) 7 inches; tail with the fur 10 inches. HISTORY-This animal was occasionally found when the country was new, in all parts of the state, but was never very plentiful. For many years past, however, it has been known only in the most woody and unsettled districts, and in such places it is now extremely rare, none having been met with to my knowledge for several years. According to Dr. Richardson, from whose work the above description is abridged, this animal is quite common in the fur countries at the north, and is a great annoyance to the hunters, robbing their traps of game, or of the bait, which they do so dexterously as seldom to be caught themselves. The Wolverene is represented as being very fierce and carniverous in its disposition, and many marvellous stories have been told of its cunning and artifice and gormandizing propensities, which are totally unfounded. Its food ordinarily consists of mice, moles, hares and other small animals, seldom meddling with larger ones, excepting such as have been previously killed or disabled. It produces once a year from two to four cubs which are covered with a downy fur of a pale cream color. It is found throughout all the northern parts of North America, even as far north as the 75th degree of latitude. GENUS MUSTELA.-Linnæus. 5.5 THE WEASEL. with sharp. crooked claws, and glands producing a strong, fetid secretion. THE WEASEL. DESCRIPTION.-Color above, in summer dull yellowish brown deepening into hair brown on the upper part of the head and brown extending in a rounded spot into nose, and yellowish white beneath, the the white behind the angle of the mouth; tail next the body the same color as the back, but darker as it approaches the extremity, where it is quite black, and the hairs terminate in a point resembling that of a camel's hair pencil. Color in winter wholly white, excepting the posterior half of the tail, which is always black, or reddish brown. Forehead flatish; ears slightly pointed; eyes small, black and lively; body long and cylindrical; tail short, less than half the length of the body. Length of the head and body of the specimen before me 8 inches; tail (vertebra) 2 inches. HISTORY.-The Weasel, though nowhere greatly multiplied, is frequently met with in all parts of Vermont. It is generally seen in stone walls, old fences and heaps of bushes. When in sight it seems to be always in motion and its motions are very quick. When in a stone wall or heap of bushes he will sometimes show himself for an instant in half a dozen places in the course of half that number of minutes. The weasel feeds upon mice, young rats, young birds and birds eggs,and sometimes commits depredations upon the eggs and young of our domestic fowls. It is not uncommon for it to enter the barns and granaries and cellars of the farmers in quest of food, and particularly Generic Characters.—Teeth 34 or 38-Incis-in pursuit of mice, of which it destroys large numbers, and on which account it ors, canines, grinders -, or might be regarded as a public benefactor, Second inferior incisors on each side slightly receding; canines strong; grinders cutting; the anterior false grinders conical and compressed true grinders trilobate, the last with a blunt crown. Body long and cylindrical; head small and oval ears short and round; legs short; toes 5, armed *Fauna Boreali, I. 41. were it not for its occasional depredations upon the poultry yard. The female produces her young several times in the five at a litter. But notwithstanding their course of the year and has from three to apparent fecundity, they never become very numerous. THE ERMINE. Mustela erminea.-LINN. GMEL. Putorius erminea.-Cuvier. THE MINK. Mustela vison.-LINN. GMEL. DESCRIPTION.-The head is depressed and small; eyes small and far forward; ears low and rounded; neck and body long and slender; tail round and thick DESCRIPTION.-Color, both in summer next the body and tapering towards the and winter, nearly the same as that of the tip; legs short; toes connected by short Weasel, excepting that the upper parts hairy webs; claws nearly straight, sharp, of the Ermine are darker in summer and white and concealed by the fur. The fur the under parts a clearer white than the is of two sorts, a very dense down mixed same parts of the Weasel. The Ermine with strong hairs; shortest on the head also grows to a larger size than the Wea- and increasing in length backwards; color sel and is likewise more thick set, its of the down brownish gray; that of the forehead and nose more convex; its ears hairs varying in different parts from chocbroader and more rounded, and its tail a-olate brown to brownish black; occasionbout twice as long in proportion to the length of the body. Length of the head and body of the specimen before me 8 inches; tail (vertebræ) 3.5. The tuft or pen-tail 9 inches. cil at the extremity extends about .7 inches beyond the vertebræ both in this and the Weasel. HISTORY.-It has been a matter of dispute whether this and the preceding animal do or do not belong to the same species. Dr. Harlan describes them as two, Dr. Godman, as one. With these authorities before him, Dr. Richardson says that both these species are, indubitably, inhabitants of the American continent, the Ermine extending to the most remote arctic districts and the Weasel as far north, at least, as the Saskatchewan river. Dr. Williams also describes the two as distinct species, and says that the Ermine, which he calls "one of the greatest beauties of nature" sometimes weighs 14 ounces, but that the Weasel is smaller.§ The skin of the Ermine, in its winter pelage of pure white, was formerly held in very high estimation, and was much worn by the nobility and high functionaries of Europe upon their robes and dresses, and particularly by judges. Thence it became the emblem of judicial purity, and the judge who was any way corrupted was said to have soiled his Ermine. The value of the skins at present is hardly sufficient to pay for collecting them. The Ermine in its summer dress is, in many places, called the Stoat. Fauna Americana p. 61. 1 Fauna Borcali, I. p. 45. † Nat. His. I. p. 193. al white spots about the throat; two oval glands which secrete a very fetid fluid. Length of the head and body 20 inches, HISTORY.-The Mink is a common animal in Vermont Its favorite haunts are along the banks of streams, where it dwells in holes near the water, or in the ruins of old walls, or in heaps of flood wood, or in piers and abutments of bridges. It does not venture far from the streams and when pursued betakes himself immediately to the water. It does not run well on land, but swims and dives admirably, and can remain a long time under water. When irritated it ejects a fluid, which diffuses a very unpleasant odor. Its fine short fur, Otter-like tail, short legs and webbed feet, all denote its aquatic habits. Its fur though not highly prized, is more valuable than that of the Musk rat. The food of the Mink consists of frogs, fishes, muscles and fish spawn; and also rats, mice, young birds and other small land animals. They sometimes enter the poultry yard, where they make great havoc among the fowls, by cutting off their heads and sucking their blood. It is not a very timid animal when in the water, but dives instantly at the flash of a gun, which makes it difficult to shoot them. It is easily tamed and in that state is very fond of being caressed, but, like the cat, is easily offended, and, on a sudden provocation, will sometimes bite its kindest benefactor. This animal is found throughout the United States and British America, but there has been some confusion FISHER MARTIN. PINE MARTIN. with regard to its name. The Mink pro- | sometimes called the Pekan, or the Pekan duces from three to six at a litter. When Weasel, or the Fisher Weasel. fully grown their weight is about four pounds. Mink skins are worth from 20 to 40 cents, according to quality. THE FISHER MARTIN. Mustela canadensis.-LINNÆUS. DESCRIPTION.-Head, neck, shoulders and top of the back, mixed with gray and brown; nose, rump, tail and extremities, brownish black; sometimes a white spot under the throat, and also between the fore and hind legs; lower part of the fore legs, the fore feet and the whole of the hind legs, black; tail full, black, lustrous and tapering to a point; fur on the head short, but gradually increasing in length towards the tail; the head has a strong, roundish, compact appearance; the ears are low semicircular and far apart, leaving a broad and slightly rounded forehead; fore legs short and strong; toes on all the feet connected at the base by a short web which is covered on both sides with hair. Length from the nose to the insertion of the tail, 23 inches; tail, including the fur, 16 inches. THE PINE MARTIN. Mustela martes.-LINNEUS. DESCRIPTION.-General color, fulvous brown, varying in different individuals, and at different seasons, from bright fulvous, to brownish black; bright yellow under the throat; hair of the tail longer, coarser and darker than that of the body; the color on all parts darker and more lustrous, and the fur more valuable in winter than in summer; nose and legs, at all seasons, dark, and the tip of the ears light. The fur of this animal is of two kinds, one coarse and the other fine and downy. The usual length of the head and body, 18 inches; tail, 9. HISTORY.-In Vermont the name of Martin and Sable are indifferently applied to this animal,but the latter incorrectly,as the true sable is not found in this country. In works on natural history it is usually denominated the Pine Martin. This animal was formerly very plentiful in most parts of the state, but it is at present chiefly confined to the mountainous and woody HISTORY.-This animal is known in dif- portions. Though small it is much huntferent places under a great variety of ap-ed for its fine and valuable fur, which, pellations, but in Vermont it is usually called the Fisher, or Fisher Martin. This name is, however, badly chosen, as it is calculated to deceive those unacquainted with the animal, with regard to its nature and habits. From its name the inexperienced would conclude that it led an aquatic mode of life, and that like the otter, it subsisted principally upon fishes But this is by means true; and they, who have had an opportunity to observe its habits, aver that it manifests as much repugnance to water as the domestic cat. It may, perhaps, sometimes devour fishes, which are thrown upon the shore, but it usually subsists by preying upon small quadrupeds, birds, eggs, frogs, &c. like the martin and other kindred species. It is said to kill the porcupine, by biting it on the belly, and then devour it. It lives in woods, preferring those which are low and damp. This animal is much valued for its fur, and considerable numbers are taken in the state, annually. The price of the skin varies from $1 to $2. It is with the clearing and settling of the country, has very much reduced their numbers. Many are, however, still taken on the forest-clad mountains along the central part of the state. They are usually caught in traps baited with some kind of fresh meat. Their food consists of mice, hares, partridges, and other birds. They often rob birds nests of their eggs, or young, and will ascend trees for that purpose, or to escape pursuit. When its retreat is cut off, it will turn upon its assailant, arch its back, erect its hair and hiss and snarl like a cat. It will sometimes seize a dog by the nose and bite so hard, that, unless the latter is accustomed to the combat, it suffers the little animal to escape. It is sometimes tamed and will manifest considerable attachment to its master, but never becomes docile. Martins burrow in the ground. The female is smaller than the male. Her time of gestation is said to be only six weeks, and she brings forth from four to seven at a litter, about the last of April. A full THE SKUNK. THE AMERICAN OTTER. grown martin weighs about four pounds. | no disagreeable odor, and whole nests of The price of prime skins is from $1, to them may lie under a barn floor for $1.25. GENUS MEPHITIS.-Cuvier. Generic Characters.-Teeth 34-incisors,, canine, grinders - canines strong and conical; superior tuberculous teeth very large and as broad as they are long; the inferior grinders with two tubercles on the inside. Head short; nose projecting; feet five toed, hairs on the bottom, and furnished with nails suitable for digging; trunk of the tail of moderate length, or very short; hair of the body long, that of the tail very long; and glands, which secrete an excessively fetid liquor. months, without betraying their presence by their scent. The flesh of the skunk when the odorous parts have been removed is well flavored and wholesome food. GENUS LUTRA.-Briss. Generic Characters.-Teeth 36-Incisors, , canines, grinders -; canines of moderate length and hooked; the first superior grinder sinall and blunt, the second and third cutting, the fourth with a strong spur on the inner side, the fifth with three external points and a broad internal spur; the inferior vary from five to six but resemble the superior. Head large and flattened; ears short and round; body very long, and low upon the legs; tail long, flattened horizontally and tapering; feet webbed; nails crooked and sharp; body covered with a fine fur mixed with long bristly hairs; two small oval glands secreting a fetid liquor. THE SKUNK. Mephitis americana.-DESM. DESCRIPTION.-General color black, with a white spot between the ears, which often extends along the sides towards the hips in the form of the letter V, and a narrow strip of white in the face; tail bushy, tipped with white; nails of the fore feet strong and about the length of the palm; hair on the head short, longer on the body and very long on the tail. Length from the nose to the insertion of the tail 16 inches, head 4 inches, body 11 inches, tail (trunk 10, tuft 4) 14 inches. THE AMERICAN OTTER. feet; length of the head 4 inches, tail 17 inches, height 10 inches, circumference at the middle of the back 19 inches. Lutra brasiliensis.-DESM. DESCRIPTION.-Color dark reddish glossy brown; pale or whitish about the throat and face; head globular; neck long; body long and cylindrical; tail depressed at the base; feet webbed, short and strong; HISTORY.-The skunk is a very com- 5 toes on the anterior feet, and 4 with the mon animal in Vermont. It is not con- rudiment of a 5th on the posterior. Tofined to the forests, nor to the thinly set-tal length of one of the largest size, 4 tled parts of the country, but frequently makes its residence in the midst of our villages. During the day he shelters himself in stone walls, or beneath barns, or out buildings, and prowls for his food during the night. This consists of eggs, young birds, mice and other small quadrupeds and reptiles. He frequently does considerable mischief in our poultry yards, by the destruction of eggs and fowls. What renders this animal most remarkable is its peculiar weapon of defence. When pursued, or attacked, it has the power of ejecting in the face of its enemy a fluid of the most nauseating and stifling scent, which exists in nature. This fluid The Otter is an active, strong and vora. is secreted by glands situated near the cious animal. When attacked and unaroot of the tail, and seems to be designed ble to escape they fight with great fiercewholly as a means of defence, being total-ness, and when fully grown are more ly independent of the ordinary evacua- than a match for a common-sized dog. tions. When undisturbed the skunk has The teeth of the Otter are sharp and strong HISTORY.-The Otter lives in holes in the banks of creeks and rivers, and feeds principally upon fish, frogs and other small animals. They were formerly very common in this state, particularly along the streams which fall into lake Champlain and lake Memphremagog. Otter Creek derives its name from the great abundance of otter, which formerly inhabited its banks. They are now become scarce, but are occasionally taken at several places within the state. THE COMMON WOLF. and his bite very severe. very short and his feet webbed, on which His legs are account he seems to be better fitted for swimming than for running upon land; and he is so eminently aquatic in his habits that he is seldom seen at much distance from the water. This animal when fully grown measured according to Dr. Williams, 5 or six feet in length and weighed about 30 pounds, but the total length of those taken at present seldom exceeds 4 feet. The price of the skin is at present from 5 to 7 dollars, but it has been at times in such demand as to be worth 10 or 12 dollars. ors, GENUS CANIS.-Linnæus. Generic Characters.-Teeth 42-Incis,, canine 1-1, grinders - The three first grinders in the upper jaw are small and edged, and are termed false molars, or grinders; the great carnivorous tooth above bicusped, with a small tubercle on the inner side, and two tuberculous teeth behind each of the carnivorous ones. Muzzle elongated, naked and rounded at the extremity; tongue smooth, ears pointed and erect in the wild species; fore feet with 5 toes and hind feet with 4, having robust nails. THE COMMON WOLF. Canis lupus.-LINNEUS. DESCRIPTION.-General color yellowish of reddish gray, blackish on the shoulders and rump, and yellowish white beneath, but varying much according to age and climate, being in some cases nearly black and in others almost white. On the back and sides there is usually an intermixture of long black, and white hairs with a grayish wool, which partially appears, giving to those parts a grayish hue, which deepens along the back into black; hair on the back part of the cheeks, bushy; tail straight and bushy like that of the fox and nearly the color of the back; eyes oblique; ears erect; teeth very strong. *Difference of colour has been the occasion of the division of this species into the following varieties: Variety I. Lupus griseus, Common Gray Wolf. 2. Lupus albus, White Wolf, Pied Wolf. Dusky Wolf. 66 3. Lupus sticte, 4. Lupus nubilus, Black Wolf. THE COMMON WOLF. of the College of Natural History of the Length of the specimen in the collections Vermont University, from the nose to the tail 4 feet 3 inches, tail 17 inches; height at the shoulder 2 feet.* tlement of this state was commenced, HISTORY.-For some years after the setwolves were so numerous and made such havoc of the flocks of sheep, that the keeping of sheep was a very precarious business. the winter they would prowl through the At some seasons particularly in settlements by night in large companies, destroying whole flocks in their way, and, after merely drinking their blood and perhaps eating a small portion of the choicest and tenderest parts, would leave the cargo in quest of new victims. Slaughter cases scattered about the enclosure and and destruction seemed their chief delight; and while marauding the country they kept up such horrid and prolonged howlings as were calculated, not only to thrill terror through their timorous victims, but to appall the hearts of the inhabitants of the neighborhood. Though the sheep seems to be their favorite victim, wolves sometimes destroy calves, dogs, and other domestic animals; and in the forest they prey upon deer, foxes, hares and such other animals as they can take. Impelled by hunger they have been known in this state to attack persons,* but they usually flee from the presence of man. The wolf bears a strong resemblance to our domestic dog; is equally prolific, and its time of gestation is said to be the same. It produces its young in the early part of summer, having from four to eight at a birth. Between the dog and the wolf prolific hybrids have often been produced, which however partake dog. more of the nature of the wolf than of the annoyance that much pains have been taWolves have always been so great an ken for their extermination, but at present, their number is so much reduced that comparatively very little damage is done by them in this state. The legislature, however, continues in force a law, giving a bounty of $20 for the destruction of each grown wolf within the state, and $10 for each'sucking whelp of a wolf; and the amount paid annually for wolf certificates is usually from one to two hundred dollars. The largest wolves killed in Vermont have weighed from 90 to 100 is valuable is its skin, which affords a pounds. The only part of the wolf which warm and durable fur. *This specimen is distorted by too much stuffing. It was killed in Addison county about ten years ago. *Williams Hist. I. 101. |