164 WEASEL. 



colour as the back. The entire length of an adult 

 male is lOf inches, that of the tail 2^; the head 

 measures 1^ in length, the neck 1| ; the body 5. 

 It is generally distributed in Ireland, as well as 

 in England and Scotland, but is more plentiful in 

 the cultivated districts, and more disposed to ap- 

 proach the habitations of man than the Ermine, 

 often taking up its abode in outhouses, stackyards, 

 and gardens ; but more frequently resorting to 

 thickets, stony places, hedges, and stone-walls. Its 

 food consists of small glires, such as Mice of all 

 kinds, the Field Vole, even the Brown Rat, and the 

 Water Vole, which it follows into their holes, some- 

 times Moles, frequently small birds, as young Par- 

 tridges, and eggs. Although it may occasionally de- 

 stroy chickens, game, and young hares or rabbits, it is 

 probably more useful than injurious to the farmer, as 

 it is a determined enemy to mice and rats, which it 

 will pursue into barns, granaries, and cornstacks, 

 despatching them generally by a single bite, which 

 perforates the brain. In the fields and pastures it 

 has been seen following its prey by scent, turning 

 and doubling on the track, and pursuing it even 

 into the water. Among grass or herbage it fre- 

 quently raises itself on its hind legs t look around, 

 and in a place of security will sometimes allow p 

 person to make a near approach to it ; but the 

 stories which have been told of troops of Weasels or 

 Ermines attacking men and women seem to require 

 confirmation, and at the least to be greatly exagge- 

 rated. When its nest is plundered, however, it 



