268 WOODLANDERS AND FIELD FOLK 



enemy's retreat, and then unearths it. Trapped the 

 " fitchet " is at all times. 



The stoat or ermine is as destructive to covert 

 game as the animals just mentioned. Upon occasion 

 it destroys great quantities of rats, and this is its 

 only redeeming quality. Partridge, grouse and 

 pheasants all fall a prey to the stoat; and hares 

 when pursued by it seem to become thoroughly 

 demoralised. Water is no obstacle to the ermine, 

 and it climbs trees in search of squirrels, birds and 

 eggs. A pair of stoats once took up their abode in 

 a well-stocked rabbit warren. The legitimate in- 

 mates were killed off wholesale, and many were 

 taken from the burrows with the skull empty. The 

 stoat progresses by a series of short quick leaps, 

 which enable it to cover the ground more quickly 

 than could possibly be imagined for so small an 

 animal. 



