Field and Covert Poachers. 241 



But in the northern fell districts it often takes up 

 a temporary abode on the moors during the 

 season that grouse are hatching. Then it not 

 only kills the sitting birds but sucks the eggs, 

 and thus whole broods are destroyed. Many 

 "cheepers" of course fall victims. Knowing 

 well the ferocity of the polecat, I believe the 

 damage done to grouse moors where this blood- 

 thirsty creature takes up its abode can hardly be 

 estimated. Like others of its tribe, the polecat 

 kills more prey than it needs. Sometimes it 

 makes an epicurean repast from the brain alone. 

 Fowl-houses suffer considerably from its visits ; 

 and it has been known to kill and afterwards 

 leave untouched as many as sixteen large turkeys. 

 In the nest of a fitchet which was observed to 

 frequent the banks of a stream no fewer than 

 eleven fine trout were found. The gamekeeper 

 persistently dogs this creature both summer 

 and winter. In the latter season every time it 

 ventures abroad it registers its progress through 

 the snow. It is then that the old man is most 

 active in his destruction, and most successful. 

 He tracks the vermin to some stone fence or 

 disused quarry or barn, cuts off the enemy's 

 retreat, and then unearths him. Trapped he is. 

 at all times. 



The stoat or ermine is as destructive to covert 

 game as the animals just mentioned. Upon 

 occasion it destroys great quantities of rats, and 



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