NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



aloft. Presently the bird turned two or three 

 somersaults, but recovered its balance. Then down 

 it came with a rush, striking the ground with a 

 fearful thud. The gentleman ran to where the 

 bird had fallen, and was startled to observe a 

 Snake Muishond, which, on hearing him approach, 

 raised its head and presently vanished into the 

 grass. On examining the bird he found it to be 

 dying. Its throat had been dreadfully lacerated. 

 When it stooped upon that Snake Muishond it 

 evidently caught a " Tartar." 



Although this weasel is as bloodthirsty as its 

 European cousin, and destroys hares and game 

 birds, it must be borne in mind that it is an in- 

 veterate enemy of rats, mice, the young and eggs 

 of snakes, and hosts of noxious insects. 



Apart from these invaluable services, the Snake 

 Muishond is entitled to the protection of man 

 for the reason that it preys upon that destructive 

 rodent known as the Springhare or Springhaas 

 {Pedetes caffer)^ which does so much damage to the 

 crops and vegetable gardens. Like the European 

 Weasel, it follows these animals into their burrows 

 and destroys large numbers of them. If a nestful 

 of young Springhares is found in the burrow, the 

 Snake Muishond kills them all, although it may only 

 be able to eat one or two. It will boldly attack 

 and kill an adult Springhare. Sometimes when 

 the creature is gripped by the Muishond, it will 

 rush out of its burrow with the keen little hunter 



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