186 MUSTELAM. 



infest it ; and its long flexible body, its extraordinary 

 length of neck, the closeness of its fur, and its extreme 

 agility and quickness of movement, combine to adapt it 

 to such habits, in which it is also much aided by its 

 power of hunting by scent, a quality which it partakes 

 in an equal degree with the Stoat. In pursuing a Rat or 

 a Mouse, therefore, it not only follows it as long as it 

 remains within sight, but continues the chase after it has 

 disappeared, with the head raised a little above the 

 ground, following the exact track recently taken by its 

 destined prey. Should it lose the scent, it returns to 

 the point where it was lost, and quarters the ground with 

 great diligence till it has recovered it ; and thus, by dint 

 of perseverance, will ultimately hunt down a swifter and 

 even a stronger animal than itself. But this is not all. 

 In the pertinacity of its pursuit, it will readily take the 

 water, and swim with great ease after its prey. 



It is, however, sometimes itself the prey of hawks ; 

 but the following fact shows that violence and rapine, 

 even when accompanied by superior strength, are not 

 always a match for the ingenuity of an inferior enemy. 

 As a gentleman of the name of Finder, then residing at 

 Bloxworth, in Dorsetshire, was riding over his grounds, 

 he saw, at a short distance from him, a kite pounce on 

 some object on the ground, and rise with it in his talons. 

 In a few moments, however, the kite began to show signs 

 of great uneasiness, rising rapidly in the air, or as quickly 

 falling, and wheeling irregularly round, whilst it was 

 evidently endeavouring to force some obnoxious thing 

 from it with its feet. After a short but sharp contest, 

 the kite fell suddenly to the earth, not far from where 

 Mr. Finder was intently watching the manoeiivre. He 

 instantly rode up to the spot, when a "Weasel ran away 

 from the kite, apparently unhurt, leaving the bird dead, 



