Ground Vermin The Weasel. 247 



strong enough, it generally succeeds in its destructive 

 purpose. 



Hares, also, are sometimes captured by weasels, and, 

 in most cases, single-handed rather a large performance 

 for such a diminutive poacher, no doubt, but still occurring 

 pretty often. In such an attempt the weasel, of course, 

 has to exert more than ordinary cunning, and proceed 

 in a most cautious manner, searching carefully to discover 

 a hare, and, moreover, one that is fast asleep. The 

 weasel slowly but steadily approaches until it considers 

 itself sufficiently near to make the final rush and attach 

 itself to the exact spot on the hare's neck necessary 

 for an easy sucking of the blood. In all cases the hare 

 makes some resistance, endeavouring to detach the vermin, 

 which, however, clings with leech-like eagerness, until 

 puss, having used her utmost endeavours to escape from 

 her diminutive but wanton enemy, and feeling the loss of 

 blood, eventually gives up and quietly dies. 



On other occasions, however, more than one weasel 

 will attack a hare, and often a little army of six or seven. 

 Of course, when this is the case the hare runs but a poor 

 chance, and once caught and set upon is very soon numbered 

 with the majority. Rabbits are more open to attack than 

 hares, but are comparatively less often destroyed, being 

 more difficult to get at. Rarely are rabbits caught whilst 

 sitting out or sleeping ; when such a chance occurs the 

 rabbit's discomfiture is brought about in the same way as 

 the hare's, only that generally the particular formation of 

 his seat leaves him exposed to an attack in rear. When, 

 however, the vermin discover a solitary one, or perhaps two 



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