28 The Stoat and ils ways. 
big artery under the wing, and the bird fell before it had flown 
two hundred vards. ‘That incident reminds me that a stoat can 
fall thirty feet with a bird it has killed, or from a tree, without 
apparently much inconvenience, for it will run off the moment it 
touches the ground. Stoats are remarkably good swimmers, 
holding their heads high, like a dog’s, and will take to the water 
to escape danger, or in hunting rats, voles, birds, or fish. In this 
way they occasionally fall victims to “the fresh-water shark,” 
but whether pike find them “tasty morsels” I cannot say. As 
Mr. J. S. Harting suggests, “cold water may have the effect of 
silencing the enemies’ guns:” nothing else does, I can testify.* 
Few dogs, except those specially trained for vermin hunting, will 
tackle a stoat, on account of its powerful aroma; many will rush 
in upon them as if they meant business, but their olfactory sense 
overcomes their ardour, and they sheer off to obtain fresh air 
before closing with them. 
‘The marten and polecat have disappeared before the skill of 
the trapper, on account of their more open, easily observed, and 
stationary habits. The stoat, on the other hand, remains practi- 
cally where it ever was, 1.e., wherever it desires to be. Without 
the cunning of the fox, it is far bolder, more courageous and 
daring. [roma little animal, less than 18 inches long, all told, 
which out of pure “ cussedness”’ will even sometimes attack man 
with apparent fearlessness, any deed of courage or destruction 
may be expected. 
* A heron, standing immovable in the shallows by a stream side, 
is recorded to have speared, beaten to death, and then swallowed a 
stoat, which was attracted by the bird’s scent while working along the 
bank. Strong though the stomach of the heron is, it could not stand so 
highly-flavoured a morsel, and at once vomitedit. Ihave often watched 
the swallowing process with admiration in herons; but waen the long 
neck is considered, a “boking’ heron must be a sight for gods 
and men! 
Your Hon. Secretary has been appointed to the Curatorship 
of the Museum at Lincoln. In future all Communications should 
be addressed to, 
Tue Musrum. Linco, 
