BRITISH MAMMALS 



truth of his assertion." We cannot all expect to attain 

 the remarkable results of Mr. William Evans's first-hand 

 work already referred to ; time and opportunity do not 

 favour us thus far, but each one of us can undertake some 

 group, or department, which, when fitted into its proper 

 place, will help to build up a system for the nation. 

 The work of Local Natural History Societies has not 

 received the encouragement and support which many of 

 them deserve, and there is more need than ever for 

 enthusiastic observers and recorders in the various 

 sections of which Nature-study is composed. There is 

 a wealth of information still to be gathered together 

 concerning our British mammals. The full life-story 

 of even one species has yet to be secured, and when one 

 has watched the Weasel and noted its habits, upon 

 turning to a reliable work of reference, one is struck with 

 the number of interesting points that are unmentioned. 

 Great confusion still exists among those who merely take 

 a fleeting interest in animal Hfe as to the difference 

 between a Stoat and Weasel, and we could number on 

 the fingers of one hand those of our friends w^ho are 

 qualified to state definitely which of the two species 

 they have had under observation. Let it be stated, 

 therefore, that the Weasel is a good deal smaller than the 

 Stoat ; that it does not possess a black tip to the tail ; 

 that the upper coat is not nearly such a warm brown, 

 and that the under-parts are whitish and not yellow. 

 It dearly delights in hunting along a hedgerow, threading 



its way with great cleverness as it proceeds. One hears 



86 



