

COURAGE OF SMALLER ANIMALS 145 



family is the " fisher," a very large, long-furred pole- 

 cat, living mainly by the water-side, and, like many 

 others of the tribe, very partial to fish. It weighs 

 about 1 6 lb., and its long, richly coloured fur is 

 exported in great quantities to different parts of 

 Europe, though until recently it was not often used 

 in this country. A trapped fisher will attack any one 

 who comes within reach of the trap chain, and when 

 free will beat off any dog of twice its size. But 

 perhaps the most striking example of the courage of 

 the smaller species yet recorded is that shown by a 

 small variety of jungle cat known as the fishing cat, 

 which, though no relation of the Canadian "fisher," 

 is quite as courageous. One of these, which was 

 kept in a menagerie, broke through into the next 

 cage, and there attacked and killed a leopard, which 

 was three times its own size. 



The Indian mongoose possesses all the courage of 

 the polecats, together with amiability and a "regu- 

 lated " mind. It turns its pluck and prowess to good 

 ends, and we imagine it to stand at the head of the 

 list of the smaller animals if quality as well as quantity 

 is demanded as a mark of intrepidity. There is little 

 doubt that the mongoose realises the deadly nature 

 of the cobra's bite. Its intense excitement is strong 

 evidence of this. But a mongoose has been known 

 to fight just as bravely against other foes. One was 

 seen to attack and drive off a large greyhound which 

 it fancied was hostile to it. 



As most of the other small animals know how 

 hopeless is a contest against the strength and per- 



K 



