HABITS OF EATS. 33 



This destruction of the offspring I have wit- 

 nessed on more than one occasion. The old 

 bitch Eat has always killed them in the same 

 way by eating off their heads. 



I must not forget to tell you of the young 

 Eat's dread of the ferrets. I have often seen 

 when the ferrets have been put in the hole the 

 young Eats (not many days old and their eyes 

 yet unopened) creep out of the hole. This is 

 a proof that the smell of the ferrets has a 

 tendency to bolt Eats, either young or old. 



Old Eats are very bold whilst suckling their 

 young. I have seen them very venturesome 

 to get to water, and more eager for water than 

 for food. I have often traced their runs a long 

 way for water, and noticed that when crossing 

 a field to get to a pit or river they never walk, 

 but are always on the run ; and in the summer, 

 when they reach the pit, they not only drink, 

 but often swim about. I have frequently 

 watched them swimming on a moonlight 

 night, but they generally go back to the 

 buildings in the early morning, especially in 

 the winter months. 



Another habit I have often noticed. Take 

 a farm, or any place where there are many 

 Eats, and it will be always found' that when a 

 Eat gets very old it becomes very greyish in 

 colour and rather scabbed, and its hair comes 



