WILD LIFE OF ORCHARD AND FIELD 



These weasels, whose coats turn pure white 

 (except at the black tip of the tail) in winter in 

 Northern countries, give us the ermine of the fur- 

 riers, and are among the few wild quadrupeds that 

 seem to maintain themselves against civilization, 

 or even to profit by it. This they can do because 

 of their small size, their clever wits, their fear- 

 lessness and hardihood. 



Finding some cranny to their liking among the 

 rocks, or within a stone wall, a weasel family will 

 furnish it with bedding of dried grass and make 

 a home as sung as it is secure. An exceedingly 

 narrow door-way will serve them, for their loose 

 and lithe bodies can creep through a very small 

 and tortuous aperture, which can be defended 

 against any enemy unable to tear the place to 

 pieces. 



A snake, indeed, is the only hostile thing (bar- 

 ring another weasel) that can get into such an in- 

 tricate den. I believe a weasel would not hesitate 

 an instant in attacking it if it came; and I guess 

 he would overcome the worst snake of our woods. 

 I have never seen a battle between a serpent and 

 an ermine, but I have no doubt the mammal, small 

 as he is, could avoid the reptile's fangs by his 

 leaping agility — for he is acrobat and contor- 

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