THE STOAT. 293 



him, and sent his companion to fetch it. Just as he arrived, bearing the weapon, the Stoat 

 descended the tree, and running to the rabbit, which had lain as if paralyzed on the ground, 

 tried to drag it away, but was stopped by the contents of the gun, which involved the Stoat 

 and its victim in a common fate. 



Birds' nests of all kinds are plundered by this incorrigible poacher, for its quick eye and 

 keen nose enable it to discover a nest, be it never so carefully hidden ; its agile limbs and sharp 

 claws give it the power of climbing any tree-trunk, and of clinging to any branch which will 

 bear the weight of a nest and eggs ; while its lithe and serpent-like body enables it to insinuate 

 itself into any crevice that is sufficiently large to afford ingress and egress to the parent birds. 

 The pheasant and partridge are said to be sad sufferers from the Stoat, which is mercilessly 

 slain by the keeper with the aid of traps or gun, the former being the preferable mode of 

 destroying " vermin." The traps in w r hich Stoats are to be caught are most ingeniously 

 placed in certain tempting "runs" to which the Stoat, being a dark-loving animal, is sure to 

 be attracted. For several days the baits are laid on the traps, which are left unset, so that the 

 Stoats find out the locality, and think that they have fallen upon a most hospitable ground. 

 When they have accustomed themselves to eat the baits with impunity, the keeper sets the 

 traps, and immolates the hapless visitants. 



When the female Stoat is providing for the wants of a young family, she forages far and 

 wide for her offspring, and lays up the produce of her chase in certain cunningly contrived 

 Jarders. In a wood belonging to Lord Bagot, a Stoat nursery was discovered, having within 

 it no less than six inhabitants, a mother and her five young. Their larder was supplied witli 

 five hares and four rabbits, neither of which had been in the least mangled, with the exception 

 of the little wound that had caused their death. In another nest of Stoats were found a num- 

 ber of small animals, such as field-mice, birds, and frogs, all packed away in a very methodical 

 manner. In two nests which wei'e found in Tollymore Park, the Stoats had laid up an abun- 

 dance of provision. In one of them there were six or seven mice, besides other small animals, 

 all laid with their heads in the same direction. In the other nest was a more extensive assort- 

 ment of dead animals. A dozen mice, a young rabbit, and a young hare were laid in the store- 

 house, together with the feathers and tail of a woodcock, showing that even that wary bird 

 had fallen a victim to the Stoat. 



Although the Stoat is so formidable an enemy to rats and mice, and destroys annually 

 such numbers of these destructive animals, it sometimes happens that the predaceous animal 

 finds its intended prey to be more than its match, and is forced ignominiously to yield the 

 contest. One of these animals was seen in chase of a rat, which it was following by scent, and 

 at a great pace. After a while, the Stoat overtook the rat, and would have sprung upon her, 

 had not its purpose been anticipated by a sudden attack from the rat, which turned to bay, 

 and fiercely flung herself with open jaws on her pursuer. The Stoat was so startled at so 

 unexpected a proceeding, that it fairly turned tail and ran away. The rat now took up the 

 pursuit, and chased the Stoat with such f urioiis energy that she drove her enemy far from the 

 place. It is probable that the rat had a young family at hand, and was urged to this curious 

 display of courage by the force of her maternal feelings. 



On account of its agile limbs, sharp teeth, and ferocious disposition, even a single Stoat 

 would be a dangerous opponent for an unarmed man. But if several Stoats should unite to 

 attack a single man, he would find himself in bad case, armed or not. Such a circumstance 

 has been lately communicated to me, my informant having heard it from the lips of the princi- 

 pal actor in the scene. 



A gentleman was walking along a road, when he saw two Stoats sitting in the path. 1I<' 

 idly picked up a stone, and filing it at the animals, one of which was struck, and was knocked 

 over by the force of the blow. The other Stoat immediately uttered a loud and peculiar cry, 

 which was answered by a number of its companions, who issued from a neighboring hedge, and 

 sprang upon their assailant, running up his body with surprising rapidity, and striving to 

 reach his neck. As soon as he saw the Stoats coming to the attack, he picked up a handful of 

 stones, thinking that he should be able to repel his little enemies, but they came boldly on, in 

 spite of the stones and of his stick. Most providentially a sharp wind happened to be blowing 



