22 



THE FOOD OF ANIMALS 



common end. Our native Polecat (Mustela putorius) is practically 

 a large and relatively clumsy Weasel, which aims at larger game, 

 while the Martens, such as the Pine Marten (Mustela martes], 

 a British species, may be looked upon as arboreal Weasels, though 

 they also hunt upon the ground. Mention may be also made 

 of the Stoat or Ermine {Mustela erminea) (figs. 315 and 316), the 



Fig. 316. Stoats (Mustela erminea) in winter dress 



characters of which are well expressed by one of its common 

 names, that of " greater weasel ". This is one of the forms which 

 change their coats at different times of the year, the winter fur, 

 commonly known as "ermine", being white except for the tip of 

 the tail, which remains jet black. In this way the Stoat is rendered 

 inconspicuous to its prey both in summer and winter. 



The Minks of North America, Europe, and Siberia are best 

 described by calling them Water - Polecats, fitted for a semi- 

 aquatic life by the possession of dense fur, small ears, and partly 

 webbed feet. They feed on fish, water-birds, and the like, but 

 also range over the ground which adjoins the banks of their native 

 rivers. From them we naturally pass to the Otters, which form 

 a thorough-going aquatic group of the weasel family. The 

 Common Otter (Lutra vulgaris) (fig. 317) is too well known to 

 need much description, and it need only to be noted that its shape 



