170 



THE POLECAT*. 



FITCHET. FOUMART. FOULMART, 



THE Polecat is not afraid of the presence of 

 mankind, but approaches with confidence our 

 dwellings, mounts to their roofs, and often resides 

 in barns, hay-lofts, or other places that are not 

 much frequented. From thence he issues, under 

 the shadow of night, to commit his depredations 

 on eggs and poultry. He is exceedingly active, 

 and runs very fast. In the act of running, his belly 

 seems to touch the ground; but, in preparing to 

 jump, the animal arches his back very much, by 

 which the projectile force of his body is greatly 

 increased. In farm yards, the Polecat makes less 

 noise, but commits more mischief than the Martin. 

 If he cannot convey the fowls away, deterred by 

 the narrowness of the entrance, he is said to eat 

 the brain on the spot, and to carry off the heads 



* Vinerra putorius. Shaw. Mustela pwtorius. Linnceus. Le 



Putois. Buffon . 



For the description of the Polecat, see the Synopsis, p. 28, 

 No. 14. 



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