190 THE POLECAT. 



masonry of which it makes its stronghold and rears 

 its young. It is also said to breed in the thickets 

 of whins, to which it is probably attracted by the 

 rabbits which habitually make their home amidst 

 such thorny shelter. 



The young, which are born blind, come in May, 

 and number from four to seven. Only one litter 

 is produced annually ; and since the sexual excite- 

 ment of the species that is, the time when the 

 males become most restless is about the middle 

 of March, the period of gestation is probably about 

 seven weeks. 



Apparently the polecat is no less monogamous 

 than the stoat. When permitted to do so, a mated 

 pair remain together at least from early spring 

 till the hardships of winter necessitate for each a 

 separate hunting-range ; and where food is plentiful, 

 they may remain united throughout the winter. 

 The young accompany the parents till almost full- 

 grown, though the family union does not appear 

 to be so strong as is the case with the other true 

 weasels (stoat, weasel, and mink). 



HUNTING. 



In hunting, the polecat follows the mode of 

 procedure adopted by the stoat ; that is to say, it 

 hunts above ground, and does not adapt itself to 

 the use of underground alley-ways and passages 

 to the same extent as does the weasel. When 

 hunting it listens repeatedly, sitting bolt-upright, 

 drawn this way and that by every sound it hears. 

 If startled or alarmed, it instantly darts under- 

 ground, presently to peer with caution from a 

 distant cranny, taking stock of the situation. In 

 disposition, it is less given to arguing the point 

 than is the stoat ; that is, it does not chatter abuse 



