154 FITCHET OR FOUMART. 



it sometimes commits great depredations among the 

 poultry, sucking the eggs, and killing the chickens, 

 grown-up fowls, and even turkeys and geese. Not 

 satisfied with obtaining enough to allay its hunger, 

 it does not intermit its ravages until it has de- 

 stroyed all within its reach, so that the havoc which 

 it makes is not less subject of surprise than of in- 

 dignation to those on whom it has inflicted its un- 

 welcome visit. It generally perforates the skull of 

 its victim, and is said to devour the brain first, as 

 well as to suck the blood. If undisturbed it some- 

 times satisfies its hunger on the spot, and in the 

 midst of its slaughtered victims, but in general car- 

 ries off its prey to some safe retreat. Its ferocitj^ 

 cunning, and extreme agility, render it a great ene- 

 my to game of all kinds; and it destroys the eggs 

 of pheasants, grouse, and partridges, seizes the 

 birds on their nests, pursues rabbits into their bur- 

 rows, and frequently seizes on young hares. Be- 

 sides birds and quadrupeds, it also feeds on fishes 

 and frogs, which have in some instances been found 

 in its nest. The figure intended to illustrate this 

 species is represented, after Bewick, as carrying an 

 eel to its retreat, in which, as related by that cele- 

 brated engraver, eleven individuals were found. 



This species is generally distributed in Britain ; 

 and, although of rare occurrence in the more culti- 

 vated tracts, is not uncommon in the hilly and 

 wooded districts. It produces five or six young in 

 the beginning of summer. The fur is held in con 



