THE WEASEL FAMILY. 



185 



Scotland. The grass was bitten down and eaten 

 away, and the land was honeycombed with their 

 runs. In consequence the pastures were much 

 damaged, the sheep fell off in condition, and the 

 loss to the farmer was very great. 



THE OTTER. 



So serious was the plague that a board of 

 inquiry was appointed by the Government. The 

 board reported that one reason, if not the chief 

 reason for the plague, was the destruction of 

 magpies, stoats, weasels, kestrel hawks, and 

 short-eared owls. 



In consequence of the excessive crowding 

 together of the voles, disease broke out among 

 them, and this thinned them down again. 



Otter. Body flattened ; legs short, with 

 webbed toes ; snout rounded ; ears short, which 

 can be closed by a fold of skin ; tail flat and 



