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ANECDOTES ELUCIDATORY OF THE NATURAL 

 HISTORY OP THE ERMINE WEASEL, 



(Mustela erminea, Linn.). 

 By Sir Oswald Mosley, Bart., M.P., D.C.L. 



Perhaps you may consider the following facts not unworthy of 

 a place in your interesting periodical, inasmuch as they tend to 

 illustrate the peculiar habits of an animal which is commonly doom- 

 ed to the most unrelenting destruction, although possessed of some 

 redeeming qualities, the promulgation of which might, perhaps, 

 entitle it to our protection. 



During one of the severe winters with which we were visited 

 some years ago, my attention was attracted towards certain patches 

 of rough pasture, lately disclosed by the melting of the snow, 

 beneath which they had long been concealed. I saw something 

 approaching them, which, had it not been for its lively motions, I 

 should scarcely have distinguished from the white scenery around. 

 On drawing nearer, I discovered it to be an Ermine Weasel (Mus- 

 tela erminea, Linn.), which had adopted its winter clothing. It 

 was evidently in pursuit of prey, and the curiosity I felt to discover 

 the object of its search, made me more cautious not to disturb its 

 occupation. After losing sight of it a short time, I saw it emerg- 

 ing from a tuft of grass with a Field Mouse (Mus sylvaticus) in 

 its mouth, and directing its course to a contiguous plantation. 

 When arrived there, it quickly ascended a young Fir tree with its 

 burden, and then as expeditiously descended without it. I continu- 

 ed to watch the motions of the little animal amongst the dead 

 leaves, which lay in heaps around, until an opportunity of catching 

 it unawares, whilst the head and fore parts were concealed amongst 

 the leaves, presented itself, of which I did not fail to avail myself. 

 In vain did my little captive bite and struggle ; a strong pair of 

 gloves and a firm grasp, effectually baffled all its attempts at escape ; 

 and after striking my victim several sharp blows on the head, I 

 was fully persuaded that I had accomplished my purpose of putting 

 an end to its existence. Whilst I continued to carry it in my 

 hand, it had all the appearance of being quite dead, but no sooner 

 had it touched the ground, upon which I soon after threw it, than 

 the hypocritical little creature at once found its liveliness and 

 strength restored, and immediately ran off with the greatest agility. 



