THE WEASEL. 257 



where it has once permanently established its 

 quarters. 



A large barn in my neighbourhood had for 

 years been infested by rats, and a regular auto dafe 

 used to take place there about Michaelmas every 

 year. Having heard of the extraordinary ' sport ' 

 furnished on such occasions, I particularly solicited 

 an invitation to one of these ' battues.' The 

 eventful day at last arrived. The great gates 

 were closed. Every hole was carefully stopped. 

 A pack of expectant terriers, with cocked ears 

 and determined visages, looked on patiently as 

 sheaf after sheaf was pitched from one side of 

 the building to the other, without a single rat 

 being exposed to view. At last the floor was 

 visible. Not even a mouse had been seen. The 

 last truss was lifted, and there a solitary little 

 weasel was discovered, who sad to relate fell a 

 victim to the disappointed dogs before his rescue 

 could be effected. 



In a former chapter I have endeavoured to 

 espouse the cause of the poor badger, and to de- 

 precate his persecution at the hands of the game- 

 preserver. With far greater justice, I regret to 

 say, the hedgehog (erinaceus Europaus) has earned 

 for himself a bad character during the breeding 

 season. No one was ever more reluctant than 

 myself, for many a day, to credit the evil reports 



