WILD CAT. 75 



prey is to grip them by the middle of the back, much as a 

 retriever carries game. In addition to the remains of hares, 

 rabbits, numerous birds, and several eels, C. St. John found in 

 the larder of a she-polecat the bodies of three kittens which he 

 knew to have been drowned at least a quarter of a mile away. 



The Polecat pairs about February, and from three to eight 

 (mostly five or six) young to a litter are born in April or May. 

 The nest is made of dry grass. There is probably a second 

 litter a few months later. 



The dentition of the Polecat, the Weasel, and the Stoat, is the 

 same as that of the Marten, except that there are only three 

 premolar teeth on each side of the jaws. In setting traps for 

 Polecats the bait is found to be rendered far more seductive by 

 scenting it with musk. 



The tame Ferret, so largely bred for use in catching Rabbits 

 and destroying Rats, is an albino, probably of the Asiatic 

 Polecat (M. eversmauni), with yellowish-white fur and red 

 eyes. Its employment in hunting ground-game dates back 

 certainly as far as to the Romans, as evidenced by references in 

 Pliny's Natural History. When all the exits but one from a 

 Rabbit " bury " have been netted, the Ferret, properly muzzled, 

 is turned into the one left open, and quickly drives out all the 

 occupants into the nets. In similar fashion Rats are driven out 

 of their holes to have their backs promptly broken by terriers 

 in waiting. Dark-coloured Ferrets are known as Polecat 

 Ferrets, and appear to be hybrids between the Ferret and the 

 ordinary Polecat. 



Wild Cat (Fells silvcstris, Schreber). 



When in England or Ireland we talk with keepers or other 

 woodland folk, and they happen to mention Wild Cats, let it be 

 understood always that their wild cat is a domestic pussy that 



