868 Life-histories of Northern Animals 



had managed to kill in his small garden about 300 up to 

 July I. 



" In this village there are several Weasels, and Major R. A. 

 Allen, who devoted much time to shooting Squirrels, frequently 

 saw them. One seemed to have little fear of him. Sometimes 

 he would see the creature run into its hole, and, going there, 

 would hold a dead Squirrel down in the hole, and the Weasel 

 would come up and seize it with its teeth. At length, the little 

 animal became so tame that it would come to him and reach 

 for the Squirrel held above, and would often jump into the air 

 trying to catch it. 



"Of course, the Weasels were never troubled — they were 

 useful in destroying Squirrels."' 



Professor John Macoun tells me that on July 29, 1906, at a 

 place 20 miles south-west of Saskatoon, Sask., he saw a Rich- 

 ardson Ground-squirrel plunge into its hole on the approach 

 of a Long-tailed Weasel. The latter went after it at once, but 

 soon came out. Evidently the Squirrel had baffled it in some 

 way; perhaps by plugging the burrow behind itself. 



In addition to Ground-squirrels, this species preys much 

 on the Snowshoe-hare or Bush-rabbit, especially in winter. 

 The Weasel actually runs it down in open chase, in spite of 

 the Hare's superior speed. Of this I have often seen track 

 record in the snow. Once only did I see the pursuit. 



In the winter of 1886, while hunting in the poplar woods 

 north-east of Carberry, I saw a Hare running through the brush, 

 pursued at some distance by an Ermine or Long-tailed Weasel. 

 The chase circled about the place where I was camped. I 

 stopped to watch it. The Hare was at the point of giving up 

 when, all at once, it ran towards me and took refuge under the 

 sleigh, near my feet. The Weasel ran around at a distance but, 

 before I could get hold of my gun, he decided to seek his dinner 

 somewhere else. 



While Ground-squirrels in summer and Hares in winter 

 may be staples of its diet, I doubt not the Long-tailed Weasel 

 is ready to prey on any living creature it can catch, from Mouse 



' Forest and Stream, September 14, tqoi, p. 205. 



