NATURALISTS CABINET. 



Curious mode of sucking eggs, 



in the banks of rivulets, whence it sallies towards 

 evening in quest of prey. 



The weasel is of great utility to the farmer, in 

 ridding him of rats and mice, and frequently 

 destroys the moles in their subterraneous habita- 

 tions : but it is also very destructive to young 

 V.rds, 'poultry, pigeons, rabbits, and several other 

 animals ; and sucks eggs with great avidity. In 

 this latter operation, it begins by making a small 

 hole at one end, from which it licks out the yolk, 

 leaving the shell behind ; whereas rats and some 

 Other animals drag the egg out of the nest, and 

 either make a large hole in it or break it to 

 pieces. By this circumstance the attacks of the 

 weasel may always be distinguished. It is said, 

 that the hare is terrified into a state of imbecility 

 at the sight of this little animal, and gives itself 

 up without the least resistance; making, at the 

 same time, the most piteous outcries. 



Weasels are naturally so wild and un tractable 

 that M. de Buffon supposed them to be perfectly 

 untameablc; but instances are not wanting to 

 prove that it may be brought into complete sub- 

 jection. Mademoiselle de Laistre, in a letter on 

 this subject, gives a very pleasing account of the 

 education and manners of a weasel which she 

 took under her protection, arid which frequently 

 ate from her hand, seemingly more delighted 

 with this manner of feeding than any other 

 <* If I pour," says this lady, "some milk into my 

 .ban (I, k will drink u good deal; but if I do not 



