339 



PUTORIUS VULGARIS, (Linn£). 



THE WEASEL. 



SpecifiG Character. — Smallest of American weasels. Length about six 

 inches to root of tail. Tail vertebrae one-fifth to one-sixth the head and body. 

 The terminal hairs about one-third the vertebrae, which do not exceed two inches. 

 Tail, slender, not tufted at the tip. Above, almost liver brown ; beneath, white. 

 No distinct black tip to the tail, though this is sometimes darkest. 



Habitat. — Northern United States northward, common in Ontario, 



Average Size. — Equal to that of a rat. 



Average Weight. — 1 pound. 



Average Height. — 3 inches. 



Average Length. — 14 inches. 



Value of Fur. — Per skin, average 10c, 



The weasel is well known in Ontario, and is in spite of its small size, a most 

 savage and relentless destroyer of smaller animals. 



The colour of the fur is of a deep reddish brown on the upper parts of the 

 body, whilst the under portions of it are of a pure white. 



The tail is uniform in tint with the body, and is not furnished with the tuft 

 of jetty hair that is so conspicuous in the stoat. 



The legs are extremely short in proportion to the body, and the neck is so 

 long that the head is carried far out, making the fore legs appear as if placed 

 behind instead of in front of the chest. 



When alarmed the weasel diffuses a powerful and foetid stench, which 

 although notas strong as the odour emitted by the skunk, is distinct and disgusting. 



The weasel is lithe and quick in movement, and being of a destructive 

 nature is continually employed in killing its victims. Its attack is almost in- 

 variably directed at the head of its prey, and one quick sharp bite generally 

 suffices to pierce the brain and cause instant death. Rats, mice, rabbits and 

 young birds all fall before it. It is said that the weasel is a destroyer 

 of the hare, but as the stoat is often called and mistaken for the weasel, it is 

 probable that many of the deeds attributed to the weasel are in reality those of 

 the stoat. 



The nest of the weasel is generally found in the cover afforded by a hollow- 

 tree, and is made of mosses and dry leaves. 



Four or five J'oung are born at a time, and two or three litters are produced 

 each year. 



The fur is almost valueless. 



2.5 (c.) 



