I20 LLOYDS NATURAL HISTORY. 



*' the Stoat frequents stony places and thickets, among which 

 it finds a secure retreat, as its agility enables it to outstrip even 

 a Dog in a short race, and the sliraness of its body allows it to 

 enter a very small aperture. Patches of furze, in particular, 

 afford it perfect security, and it sometimes takes possession of 

 a Rabbit's burrow. It preys on game and other birds, from the 

 Grouse and Ptarmigan downwards, sometimes attacks poultry 

 or sucks their eggs, and is a determined enemy to Rats and 

 Voles. Young Rabbits and Hares frequently become victims to 

 its rapacity, and even full-grown individuals are sometimes 

 destroyed by it. Although, in general, it does not appear to 

 hunt by scent, yet it has been seen to trace its prey like a Dog, 

 following its track with certainty. Its motions are elegant, 

 and its appearance extremely animated. It moves by leaping 

 or bounding, and is capable of running with great speed, al- 

 though it seldom trusts itself beyond the immediate vicinity of 

 cover. Under the excitement of pursuit, however, its courage 

 is surprising, for it will attack, seize by the throat, and cling to 

 a Grouse, Hare, or other animal strong enough to carry it off, 

 and it does not hesitate on occasion to betake itself to the 

 water." The young, usually from five to eight in number, are 

 born in April or May, and are blind for nine days after birth. 

 They remain with the mother till the autumn, and are full- 

 grown by the following spring. It may be added that the 

 Stoat is an expert climber, having been known to ascend trees 

 for the purpose of attacking birds on their nests and eating 

 their eggs or young. Mr. de Winton writes : — " Old Stoats 

 whose teeth are worn are inveterate egg-eaters. I took forty- 

 two Pheasant's eggs from one hole in May, 1894, and have 

 got the skin of the old ' Hob ' who amassed this larder." 



In the autumn large parties of Stoats have, on several occa- 

 sions, been encountered on the march, as though they were un- 

 dertaking a kind of migration, and at such times they are stated 



