THE STOAT. 



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piercing cry was heard among some underwood, from which issued a poor rabbit, bearing 

 with it a Stoat, clinging to its neck. The Stoat, on finding that its actions were observed, 

 quitted its prey and ran up a tree. One of the keepers, who witnessed the scene, had not 

 his gun with him, and sent his companion to fetch it. Just as he arrived, bearing the 

 weapon, the Stoat descended the tree, and running to the rabbit, which had lain as if 

 paralyzed on the ground, tried to drag it away, but was stopped by the contents of the 

 gun, which involved the Stoat and its victim in a common fate. 



Birds' nests of all kinds are plundered by this incorrigible poacher, for its quick eye 

 and keen nose enable it to discover a nest, be it ever so carefully hidden ; its agile limbs 

 and sharp claws give it the power of climbing any tree-trunk, and of clinging to any branch 

 which will bear the weight of a nest and eggs ; while its lithe and serpent-like body enables 

 it to insinuate itself into any crevice that is sufficiently large to afford ingress and egress 

 to the parent birds. The pheasant and partridge are said to be sad sufferers from the 

 Stoat which is mercilessly slain by the keeper with the aid of traps or gun, the former 

 being the preferable mode of destroying " vermin." The traps in which Stoats are to be 

 caught are most ingeniously placed in certain tempting " runs" to which the Stoat, being 

 a dark-loving animal, is sure to be 

 attracted. For several days the 

 baits are laid on the traps, which 

 are left unset, so that the Stoats 

 find out the locality, and think 

 that they have fallen upon a most 

 hospitable ground. When they 

 have accustomed themselves to 

 eat the baits with impunity, the 

 keeper sets the traps, and immo- 

 lates the hapless visitants. 



When the female Stoat is pro- 

 viding for the wants of a young 

 family, she forages far and wide 

 for her offspring, and lays up the 

 produce of her chase in certain 

 cunningly contrived larders. In 

 a wood belonging to Lord Bagot, 

 a Stoat nursery was discovered, 

 having within it no less than six 

 inhabitants, a mother and her 

 five young. Their larder was 



supplied with five hares and four rabbits, neither of which had been in the least mangled? 

 with the exception of the little wound that had caused their death. In another nest of 

 Stoats were found a number of small animals, such as field-mice, birds, and frogs, all 

 packed away in a very methodical manner. In two nests which were found in Tolly- 

 more Park, the Stoat had laid up an abundance of provision. In one of them, there 

 were six or seven mice, besides other small animals, all laid with their heads in the same 

 direction. In the other nest was a more extensive assortment of dead animals. A 

 dozen mice, a young rabbit, and a young hare were laid in the storehouse, together 

 with the feathers and tail of a woodcock, showing that even that wary bird had fallen 

 a victim to the Stoat. 



Although the Stoat is so formidable an enemyto rats and mice,and destroys annually such 

 numbers of these destructive animals, it sometimes happens that the predaceous animal 

 finds its intended prey to be more than its match, and is forced ignominiously to yield 

 the contest. One of these animals was seen in chase of a rat, which it was following 

 by scent, and at a great pace. After a while, the Stoat overtook the rat, and would have 

 sprung upon her, had not its purpose been anticipated by a sudden attack from the rat, 

 which turned to bay, and fiercely flung herself with open jaws on her pursuer. The Stoat 

 was so startled at so unexpected a proceeding, that it fairly turned tail and ran away. 

 24 



STOAT (Winter Dress). 



