DISAPPEARANCE OF SHORT-TAILED FIELD VOLE 201 



watchers had, to his knowledge, set traps for stoats or 

 weasels. 



As matter of fact, vermin, so called, does not seem to 

 increase whether molested or not. A few scattered Stoats 

 and Weasels are found in suitable localities ; and the same 

 localities harbour the animal year after year, without apparent 

 increase or decrease. In the same way, the Kestrel has 

 always been scarce, even in the most favoured districts. Mr. 

 Martin estimates the normal number in Yarrow between 

 Bowhill and St. Mary's Loch, including Bowhill Woods, at 

 eleven pairs, and the number in Ettrick from its junction 

 with Yarrow to Tushielaw (say 16 miles) at ten pairs. We 

 estimate the number between Tushielaw and Ettrick Pen at 

 the head of the river (say 1 2 miles more) at six pairs. 



I further think that a great deal too much is made of the 

 bloodthirsty character of the Stoat and the Weasel. My view 

 is that the reputation of the animal has very largely arisen 

 from the great slaughter sometimes committed by it among 

 young game. But these instances occur during the breeding 

 season, when the animal cannot afford to miss an opportunity 

 of securing and storing food, and when its prey is young, 

 and in numbers together. In its normal state, I believe it 

 simply kills to eat, and not for destruction, and that the 

 numbers of birds and animals which fall a prey are not 

 comparatively great. In the same way, the propensity of 

 the Kestrel to take young game has, so far as I have been 

 able to ascertain, manifested itself in the nesting-time alone. 

 I have never known an instance of the bird molesting game 

 at any other season of the year. 



The above remarks as to the characters of the Stoat, the 

 Weasel, and the Kestrel, may not be relevant to the present 

 paper ; but I cannot close without expressing my views on 

 this subject. 



Special thanks are due to the gentlemen who have 

 furnished the particulars which have enabled me to complete 

 the paper. I would particularly mention among farmers 

 and shepherds in Teviot district, Mr. Chas. J. Grieve, 

 Mr. Stevenson, Mr. John Martin (Carlenrig), Mr. David 

 Glendinning, Mr. Simon Rutherford, Mr. Thos. Elliot ; in 

 Eskdalemuir and Liddesdale, Mr. Bell, Mr. Thos. Glen- 



