32 RAMBLES ABOUT HOME. 



more, under quite different circumstances. While stand- 

 ing on the border of a wide stretch of meadow, the grass 

 on which had lately been mown, I saw a jumping-mouse 

 give an enormous leap, and no sooner had it touched the 

 ground than it leaped a second time, with even greater 

 energy, but not in the same direction. For some reason 

 it had turned about, and in leaping returned very nearly 

 to the spot from which it had first jumped. Its unusual 

 actions had roused my curiosity, and, going quickly toward 

 it, I was surprised to see a little weasel bound nimbly, in 

 its peculiar manner, over the grass. As it turned out, 

 there were three of these animals, near each other, and 

 undoubtedly associated together in the hunt. One of 

 them had flushed the mouse, which literally came very 

 near jumping into the jaws of a second, and had I not 

 disturbed them, it would probably have been seized on 

 touching the ground, after its second leap, as one of the 

 weasels was very near the spot where it alighted. On 

 my remaining quiet, the weasels resumed their hunt, and 

 one, or the three in concert, flushed the mouse several 

 times, before it reached the thicket near by, which I 

 hope, at least, afforded it security against their tireless 

 persecution. 



This incident, and my impressions from the little I 

 have observed of the larger weasel or ermine, convince 

 me that during autumn and winter the families remain 

 together. If this is not true of weasels in wilder and un- 

 cultivated regions, is it a habit lately acquired by those 

 that live in the more thickly settled districts, being found 

 conducive to their safety 3 



