298 THE WEASEL. 



thirty yards of a plantation where they had a strong 

 settlement. A full-gown rabbit soon made its appear- 

 ance. It took a circuit of nearly ten paces, and re- 

 entered the plantation. Scarcely had it disappeared 

 from view, when a weasel came out upon its track, 

 and followed scent with the sagacity of a hound. 

 The rabbit soon came out of the wood again, in 

 violent agitation ; and quickly returned to cover- 

 Out came the weasel a second time, and followed 

 up the track with surprising assiduity. The rabbit 

 broke cover once more ; but it was for the last time ; 

 for scarcely had it proceeded a dozen yards ere I 

 saw that all was over. It stopped short and panted 

 for breath, as though its heart would have burst 

 through its ribs ; and then it began to squeal most 

 piteously. It never took another step to save its life, 

 but sat down on the grass, still continuing its wail- 

 ing. The weasel bolted from the bushes, and jumped 

 upon the rabbit's back, inflicting a death-wound on 

 its prey by biting it just behind the ear. I was 

 sitting quite still at the time, and could easily have 

 despatched either the rabbit or the weasel ; but I 

 did not interfere until the affair was concluded, and 

 then I took the rabbit for my share, and I allowed 

 the weasel to go in search of another supper when 

 and where it might think fit. 



This quadruped, as I have already stated, will 

 plunder the nests of pheasants and of partridges ; and 

 it must often surprise and kill many a Hanoverian 

 rat, whilst the latter is going on the same noxious 

 errand as itself. But I find it no easy matter to 

 watch a bird's nest in the grass, so as to get a sight 



