The Stoat 



to traverse suits the Polecat well, after the season of 

 breeding. These animals have young in May or June, 

 and usually there are four to six in a litter. 



The Polecat has been provided by Nature v^ith a 

 most offensive odour ; so much so that scarcely any 

 doubt can arise that this obnoxious and sickening scent 

 has been given the animal as a protective measure 

 against its enemies. Perhaps this natural guard may 

 date back to the time when the Polecat itself was 

 preyed upon by more warlike mammals than it now has 

 to contend with. To-day, the Polecat, when it appears, 

 is master of the situation, bar man and his engines of war. 



The Stoat is seldom seen about the habitations of 

 men. It dwells remote even from the gamekeeper's 

 cottage when possible, although at times it may rear its 

 four or five youngsters in a burrow within sound of the 

 keeper's kennel. Like the Hedgehog, too, it occasion- 

 ally turns up in the most unsuspected places. For 

 instance, I have known a full-grown Stoat to enter 

 a fisherman's cottage, and another locate itself inside a 

 greenhouse within the precincts of a town. Such 

 instances, however, are unusual, and may be put down 

 to the animals having lost their way in some manner or 

 other. As a rule, Stoats remain in the backwoods, 

 even more so than weasels. They are — casually looked 

 at — big weasels, both in shape and colour. Unlike 

 the weasel, however, the Stoat changes its colour 

 during the winter season, and its fur is then white, 



3S 



