THE STOAT OR ERMINE 13 



adult measures from 16 to 18 in., and the tail 4 to 5 in. ; fur 

 dense in the under-coat outer ; and hairy, of a yellow colour, 

 with the tips of the longer hairs dark brown ; edges of ears and 

 fur surrounding lips white. The young, produced in spring, number 

 three to five. 



The foumart inhabits woods and hedgerows, living in burrows, 



FIG. 10. THE POLECAT. 



and lining the nest with dried grass or similar material. It is very 

 destructive in game preserves, partridges and pheasants, hares 

 and rabbits falling victims to its blood-thirstiness, while its ravages 

 among fowls and ducks, geese and turkeys (young) are appalling, 

 for it kills only to suck blood and eat brains, leaving the bodies 

 and flesh untouched. Fish, particularly eels, also fall a prey to 

 its rapacity, while mice, rats, and voles are speedily destroyed by 

 it. The fur of the polecat is worn under the name of " fitch," 

 the Scotch skins being regarded as the finest. 



STOAT or ERMINE (Mustela erminea), Fig. n. This beautiful 

 little animal is the Mus Ponticus of Pliny, and in habits very similar 

 to the common weasel, hence, by some, considered to do as 

 much good as harm, and should be included in the " Partly 

 Useful and Partly Injurious " section. In summer it is of a light 

 ferruginous or chestnut-brown colour over the head, back, sides, 

 and upper half of the tail ; the under part is nearly of a pure white, 

 the lower portion of the tail becomes gradually darker, till at the 

 extremity it is quite black. The fur is short, soft, and silky. In 

 its winter coat it is pure white over the whole body, the lower part 

 of tail only retaining its dark colour, and at this time the fur is much 

 longer, finer, and thicker than in summer. The fur is in great 

 request, formerly as insignia of kings, and is still used by judges. 



The stoat frequents woods, copses, and hedgebanks, also barns 

 and outhouses. It feeds on mice and rats and voles, soon clear- 

 ing infested places of these pernicious depredators, being among the 

 deadliest and most persevering of small rodent enemies. Hares 

 may not often fall victims to its rapacity, but it is a terrible enemy 

 to rabbits, and has a particular penchant for young pheasants and 

 other winged game, not even sparing the brooding pheasant or 



