Till-: J'OIJX'A'I* - n^huius r.r/l'hrs 



TiiK Polecat lias canicd for itscll' a most mk-nviaMi' laiiic, liavinj; hecn long 

 celebrated as one ot" the most noxious pests to Avhich the farmvartl is liable. 

 Slightly smaller than the marten, and not quite so powerful, it is found to be a 

 more deadly enemy to rabbits, game, and poultry, than any other animal of its 

 size. 



It is wonderfully bold when engaged upon its marauding expeditions, and 

 maintains an impertinently audacious air even when it is intercepted in the act 

 of destniction. Not only does it make victims of the smaller poultry, such as 

 ducks and chickens, but attacks gce.se, turkeys, and other larger birds with 

 perfect readiness. This ferocious little creature has a terrible habit of destroying 

 the life of every animal that may be in the same chamber with itself, and if it 

 should gain admission into a hcidiousc will kill every one of the inhabitants, 

 although it may not be able to eat the twentieth part of its victims. It seems 

 to be very fond of sucking the blood of the animals which it destroys, and 

 appears to commence its repast by eating the brains. If several victims should 

 come in its way, it will kill them all, suck their blood, and eat the brains, leaving 

 tlic rcmaind<'r of the bt^ly imtouchcd. 



It is also called the I'itchct, a name which is well known to artists as being 

 the title of the animal from whose fur their best bnishes are produced. 



The hairs from which the bru-^hes are manufactmvd are those long, sharj), and 

 glistening hairs which protrude through the soft coating of woolly fur that lies 

 next the skin, and serve to presen'e the animal from the effects of cold and 

 moisture. 



KS 



