

CHAPTER XXVII. GROUND VERMIN. 



THE POLECAT. 



T T NDER the general name of " vermin " are included a 

 LJ number of animals and birds whose natural instinct 

 leads them to destroy other birds and animals of an opposite 

 character, the existence and increase of which are desirable 

 to the occupier of a particular estate. These generally 

 consist of poultry and game, besides many wild birds, rabbits, 

 and hares. 



The habits and haunts of vermin, although to many a 

 subject of commonplace knowledge, are, to the generality, 

 rather obscure. It is, however, a matter of necessity to the 

 game preserver to be well acquainted with the signs of their 

 depredatory habits, so that he may wage successful war 

 against these diminutive enemies both of himself and the 

 poultry keeper. Game preserving is, to a great extent, 

 dependent upon the vigilance with which stoats, polecats, 

 &c., are sought out and extirpated, for the quantity of 

 birds, hares, and rabbits they capture, destroy, or leave 

 after having sucked the whole or part of the blood, is 

 enormous, and if left unmolested vermin multiply and 



P 



