6O FAUNA OF SHROPSHIRE. 



the robes of Royalty, etc. The skins of British specimens 

 are of no value, the fur being too short. There has been 

 much controversy as to the mode by which this change 

 of colour is effected, and it is even yet a moot point 

 whether it is by the growth of new hair replacing the 

 old, or by blanching of the old hair. In summer the 

 colour of the Stoat is reddish-brown above, the under- 

 parts yellowish-white, and the tip of the tail black. 

 The tail is not bushy as in the two preceding species, 

 and is of only moderate length, while the limbs are 

 short. Length of male, 18 inches ; the female smaller. 

 The young are produced in a burrow towards the 

 beginning of summer, and are usually five or six in 

 number. 



WEASEL. The Weasel looks exactly like a small Stoat 

 M. vulgaris. with a short tail, but is easily dis- 



tinguished by its redder colour and by 

 the absence of the black tip to the tail. It also resembles 

 the Stoat in its general mode of life, but preys upon the 

 smaller animals. Indeed the Weasel shows a decided 

 preference for Rats and Moles, and its small size and 

 slender body enable it to pursue and easily capture the 

 latter in their burrows. It also destroys large numbers 

 of Mice and Voles, so that it is a most useful animal to 

 the farmer in keeping these vermin in check. For this 

 reason the Weasel should be encouraged and protected 

 instead of being shot by keepers as it so often is ; the 

 small amount of mischief it does amongst game being 

 far outweighed by the services rendered in the way just 

 mentioned. Unlike most of our Mammals, the Weasel 

 is frequently seen abroad by day, and exhibits little fear 

 of man. The writer once pursued one in a road-side 



