164 FLESH-EATERS OF THE LAND 



nose to the base of the tail, which is another six or seven 

 inches in length ; the female is four or five inches shorter. 

 The coat of the Polecat is rather handsome ; it is prin- 

 cipally dark brown, almost black, the under fur being pale 

 yellow, while the head is marked with black and white. 

 When molested, or irritated, the animal emits an odour 

 that is markedly unpleasant. The fur, too, bears this evil 

 smell, but it disappears during the preparation of the skin 

 for wear. 



In disposition the Polecat is ferocious to a degree, 



destroying any small animal 

 with which it comes in con- 

 tact. It hunts rabbits with 

 almost incredible fierceness ; 

 a single Polecat will speedily 

 clear a whole warren, for the 

 depredator will kill as many 

 SKULL OF THE POLECAT. as twenty rabbits at a single 



visit, and all without a 



scarcely perceptible wound. A few generations ago the 

 animal was the terror of the farmyard, for if it contrived 

 to break into a hen-roost or pigeon-loft, scarcely a bird 

 could hope to escape beheadal. 



The Polecat is an expert swimmer and can catch fish. 

 Eleven eels have been found in a single nest. In move- 

 ment it is extremely active, and when it runs it arches 

 its back, giving it the sinuous snake-like motion that is 

 characteristic of the gait of the Weasels. 



FERRET (Putorius furo). 

 Coloured Plate IX. Fig. 7. 



The Ferret, though of African origin, is practically a 

 domesticated variety of the polecat, if an animal which 

 manifests no attachment nor acquires any habits of 

 dependence can be said to be domesticated. The animal 

 was first introduced into Spain, whence it has spread all 

 over Europe. It is whitish or pale yellow in colour and 

 has red eyes ; and in shape and disposition, so far as other 



