48 THE MAMMALS, REPTILES, AND FISHES OF ESSEX. 



without further effort to escape. Whether they become 

 paralysed by fear or exhaustion, or by both, I am unable to 

 state ; but, after a faint struggle, they certainly sit still and 

 allow the wily little hunter to attack, offering no other defence 

 than screams. 



The following note of a fight between a Weasel and a Stoat 

 seems worth recording, as it is rare that a witness is present at 

 such an unusual encounter. The quarrel probably originated 

 in the appropriation by one of the combatants of the freshly- 

 captured spoils of the other : 



" On Saturday, as Mr. Kebby, of Beeches Farm, Stock, 

 was walking round one of his fields, he heard a screaming 

 noise, and on going to the spot he saw a large male Stoat and 

 a male Weasel in the ditch fighting. The Stoat had the 

 Weasel in its mouth trying to rend it. Mr. Kebby jumped into 

 the ditch, and killed both combatants. The Stoat and Weasel 

 have been carefully preserved in the attitude they were seen 

 fighting in by Mr. C. Cable, naturalist, of Stock " (Essex. 

 County Chronicle, November 28th, 1890). 



Stoats in winter livery have been often seen in the county. 

 One such was shot by Mr. Brundish, at Willingale, in March, 

 1871, and I have seen several which were perfectly snow- 

 white. More frequently, however, they retain some reddish 

 patches on the head and shoulders. 



The number of young varies from four to five, and more 

 playful little creatures than a family of young Stoats it would 

 be difficult to find. 



Mustela putorius, Linn. POLECAT. 



This animal, so destructive both to poultry and game, is 

 becoming very rare in Essex. In many districts, it is quite 

 extinct, even in spots where, only a few years since, it was 

 frequently seen. 



