426 STOAT. 



Lastly, Aldrovandus affirms that the Weesel 

 sometimes carries her young in her mouth from 

 place to place several times in a day, when she 

 suspects that they will be stolen from her. 



STOAT. 



Viverra Erminea. 



Mustela Erminea. M. caudce apice afro. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. 



p. 98. 



W. with the tip of the tail black. 

 Mustela hieme alba, aestate supra rutila, infra alba, caudae apice 



nigro. Briss. Quadr.p. if 6. 

 Roselet. Bicff. 7. p. 240. pi. 31. f. i. 

 L'Hermine. Buff". J.p. 240.^. 29. f. 2. 

 Stoat and Ermine. Pennant Quadr. 2. p. 35. 



THIS animal much resembles the Weesel in its 

 general appearance, as well as in colour, but is 

 considerably larger; the body, exclusive of the 

 tail, measuring ten inches, and the tail five and a 

 half: the tip of the tail is also constantly black, 

 whatever may be the gradation or cast of colour 

 on the body ; for the Stoat, in the northern re- 

 gions, becomes milk-white during the winter, in 

 which state it is commonly called the Ermine. It 

 is sometimes found of this colour in our own 

 country, and instances are not very uncommon 

 in which it appears parti-coloured, or white in 

 some parts, and brown in others, the change of 

 colour having not been completed. Its smell is 

 strong and unpleasant. The Stoat is similar in 



