162 FLESH-EATERS OF THE LAND 



fierce little creatures off his body. Not until he secured a 

 stout stake, with which he killed three of his assailants, did 

 the remainder seek safety in the crevices of a neighbouring 

 rock. 



The Weasel is capable of being tamed, and is said to be 

 one of the most delightful of pets, cleanly in the extreme, 

 and as playful and inquisitive as any kitten. Most persons, 

 however, would prefer to accept the statement without 

 actually putting it to the test, for the average Weasel is in 

 reality as little likely to modify its nature as is a leopard 

 to change its spots. 



STOAT OR ERMINE (Putorius erminea). 

 Coloured Plate IX. Fig. 3. 



The Stoat differs from the Weasel only in its greater size 

 and certain distinctive features in the colouring of its coat. 

 It is found throughout Europe and Asia as far south as the 

 Alps and the Himalaya respectively, and also in many 

 parts of North America. It averages about ten and a half 

 inches in length, with a tail of six inches, including the long 

 fur at the tip. 



In England the Stoat has a beautiful coat, reddish-brown 

 above and yellowish-white below, while in winter it becomes 

 more or less yellowish-white all over. In very cold regions 

 the fur changes to pure white, except the tip of the tail, 

 which is black. This white-clothed animal is the Ermine, 

 whose fur is in great request. 



The Stoat outvies the weasel in its absolute passion for 

 killing for killing's sake. It is the deadly enemy of all small 

 animals ; and when it enters a rabbit warren, for example, 

 it ruthlessly destroys all the young ones, even when it is 

 gorged with blood and flesh. Game preservers view the 

 Stoat with positive hatred, and Mr. Westell states that he 

 has seen as many as fifty hanging on one keeper's vermin 

 pole. The reason is not far to seek when one hears of fifty 

 pheasant eggs being found in the retreat of one pair of 

 Stoats. Not one of the eggs was even cracked 1 In 

 another hole were found a couple of dead but unmutilated 



