ITS MODE OF ATTACK. 103 



mer abode in the hedge-rows and river-banks, or whether they have re- 

 tired to winter-quarters among the barns and ricks. Many farmers are 

 in the habit of destroying the Weasels, which they look upon as " ver- 

 min," but it is now generally thought that, although the Weasel may 

 be guilty of destroying a chicken or duckling now and then, it may yet 

 plead its great services in the destruction of mice as a cause of acquittal. 

 The Weasel is specially dreaded by rats and mice, because there is no 

 hole through which either of these animals can pass which will not quite 

 as readily suffer the passage of the Weasel ; and, as the Weasel is most 

 determined and pertinacious in pursuit, it seldom happens that rats or 

 mice escape when their little foe has set itself fairly on their track. 



The Weasel has been seen to catch and to kill a bunting by creeping 

 quietly toward a thistle on which the bird was perching, and then to 





The Weasel {Mustela Vulgaris). 



leap suddenly upon it before it could use its wings. When it seizes an 

 animal that is likely to make its escape, the Weasel flings its body over 

 that of its victim, as if to prevent it from struggling. In single combat 

 with a large and powerful rat, the Weasel has but little hope of success 

 unless it should be able to attack from behind, as the long, chisel-edged 

 teeth of the rat are terrible weapons against so small an animal as the 

 Weasel. The modes of attack employed by the two animals are of a 

 different character, the rat making a succession of single bites, while 

 the Weasel is accustomed to fasten its teeth on the head or neck of its 

 opponent, and there to retain its hold until it has drained the blood of 

 its victim. The fore-legs of the Weasel are of very great service in 

 such a contest, for when it has fixed its teeth it embraces its opponent 

 firmly in its fore-limbs, and, rolling over on its side, holds its antagonist 

 in its unyielding grasp, which is never relaxed as long as a spark of life 

 is left. 



Like the polecat and others of the same group of animals, the Weasel 



