CASSELL'S POPULAR NATURAL HISTORY. 



THE COMMON AVEASEL. 



THK length of this uninm], exclusive of the tail, is about seven inches, and its height not abo-, < 

 and a half. The colour of its upper parts is a pale reddish brown, and its breast and belly are white ; 

 but on eaeli side, below the corners of the month, is a brown spot. The ears are small and rounded, 

 and the eyes black. 



Small as it is, it has all the courage and ferocity of its race, and will prey on leverets, chickens, 

 vomit; pigeons, and ducklings; its favourite food, however, are mice, rats, water-rats, and even moles. 

 In the tanner's stack-yard and granary it well repays for its occasional pilferings by valuable services. 

 It keeps up an incessant warfare with rats and mice, which, from their excessive numbers, often 

 occasion a serious loss in grain, besides undermining the barns and outhouses. 



The Weasel climbs trees and runs up the side of a wall with facility, its movements being 

 singularly graceful. When it attacks its prey, it fixes its teeth on the back of the head and pierces 

 the brain, which it then devours. It is said to prefer putrid flesh to that just killed ; but this is 

 doubtful, and has arisen, most probably, from dead birds in a putrid state having been fcmnd in or 

 near its hole. The weasel hunts by scent, like a dog, and follows mice and moles with the utmost 

 perseverance, tracking them through all their runs or winding galleries. It will even cross the water 

 in their pursuit, if its prey be in sight; nor does swiftness avail, for onwards will the weasel travel, 

 till its victim fails from exhaustion. 



The weasel breeds two or three times in a year, having a litter of five at each birth. She makes 

 her nest of dried herbage ; a hole in a bank side, among brambles, or in an old tree, is the usual place 

 of her retreat ; and when molested she defends herself and her pi'ogeny with indomitable courage. 



Although Buffon was of opinion that the weasel was an animal incapable of domestication, we 

 have the following interesting account of one in a letter of Mademoiselle de Laistre : " If I pour 

 some milk into my hand," says she, "it will drink a good deal ; tint if I do not pay it this compliment 

 it will scarcely take a drop. When it is satisfied it generally goes to sleep. My chamber is the place 

 of its residence ; and I have found a method of dispelling its strong odours, by perfumes. During 

 day it sleeps inside a quilt, entering by a place that is unsewed in its edge, which it accidentally 

 discovered. At night I keep it in a wired cage, which it always enters with much reluctance, but 

 leaves with joy. If the servant sets it at liberty before I am up in the morning, after a thousand 

 gambols, it comes into my bed, and reposes in my hand, or on my bosom. If I am up before it is let 

 out, it will fly to me in rapture, and spend half an hour in caressing me, playing with my fingers, and 

 nibbling at them with its teeth like a little dog, leaping on my head and on my neck, and then 

 running round my arm with the softness and elegr.nce of a squirrel. Such is its agility, that it will 

 leap into my hands, although upwards of a yard distant, if I present them to it. It exhibits much 

 adroitness and cunning to obtain any wished-for object ; and it is so capricious, at times, as to perform 

 certain acts, apparently from contradiction. It seems at all times exceedingly desirous of being noticed, 

 watching my eye during all its little pranks, to see if I observe it. If I am inattentive to its sports 

 it seems to have no pleasure in them, immediately desists, and lays itself down to repose. It is so 

 lively, that the moment I awake it, however sound its sleep may be, it instantly resumes its gambols 

 with as much spirit as before it slept. It never is out of temper, unless when much teased, or when 

 under confinement, which it greatly detests, in which case it displays its displeasure by a kind of low 

 murmur, quite opposed to the sound of its voice when pleased. 



"This little creature can distinguish my voice amid twenty others, and springs over every one in 

 the room till it has found me. Nothing can exceed the lively and pleasing way it caresses me with 

 its two little paws ; it frequently pats me on the chin, in a manner that expresses the utmost fondness. 

 This, with a thousand other kindnesses, convinces me of the sincerity of its attachment. He is quite 

 aware of my intention, when dressed, to go out, and then it is with much difficulty 1 can rid myself 

 of him. On these occasions he will conceal himself behind a cabinet near the door, and spring on me 

 as I pass with astonishing quickness. 



* Musttla vulgaris. 



