WICKED WEASELS. 29 



which probably mistook it for a ground-squirrel or " chip- 

 munk." When seized, it discharged from infra-caudal 

 glands a fluid having a faint mephitic odor, which evi- 

 dently so far sickened pussy that she was content with 

 simply killing the animal, and did not attempt to eat it, 

 play with it, or carry it off. 



So far as I have observed, the little weasel prefers 

 wooded hill-sides, with a southern outlook. This may 

 not, of course, be applicable to the animal as found in 

 other places. Those that I have seen were all on the one 

 sunny, wooded hill-side, which has been my only hunting- 

 ground. Given the woods, there must needs be an open 

 meadow near, for it is to the latter that they go to hunt ; 

 while in the former they have their nests and find safe 

 cover from pursuing foes. 



In May, 1878, a pair of these small weasels took up 

 their abode near my house. My first intimation of their 

 presence was the marked diminution in the number of 

 ground-squirrels, or chipmunks, which I had intended to 

 carefully study. Then a young chicken, now and then, 

 was found lying dead, with a hole in its neck. The cry of 

 "Weasel !" was set up, but none were seen for some time. 

 During the first week in June, as I was looking for birds' 

 nests, I spied one of these animals running in the path 

 ahead of me. Like a flash it disappeared in a stump that 

 extended into the path. I followed it up, with all pos- 

 sible dispatch, and from the " signs " it was evident that 

 this weasel had its home here, and was continually going 

 and coming out of a little tortuous passage-way among 

 the roots of the stump. I kept my own counsel, and 

 quietly followed up my discovery with the following re- 

 sults : 



The pair proved to be quite diurnal in their habits, 

 however they may have spent their nights, and were fre- 



