242 



HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS 



THE WEASEL. 



(Mustela Ntvalis, Linn. La Belctte, Buff.) 



THE length of this animal does not exceed seven 

 inches from the nose to the tail, which is only two 

 inches and a half long, and ends in a point: its 

 height is not above two inches and a half; so that 

 it is nearly four times as long as it is high. 



The most prevailing colour of the Weasel is a 

 pale reddish brown on the back, sides, and legs; 

 the throat and belly are white ; beneath the corners 

 of the mouth, on each jaw, is a spot of brown. It 

 has whiskers, like a Cat: its ears are large, and 

 have a fold at the lower part, that gives them the 

 appearance of being double; its eyes are small, 

 round, and black; its teeth are thirty-two in num- 

 ber, and extremely sharp. 



The Weasel is very common, and well known in 

 most parts of this country; is very destructive to 

 young birds, poultry, Rabbits, &c.; and is a keen 

 devourer of eggs, which it sucks with great avidity. 

 It will follow a Hare,* which is terrified into a state 



* They sometimes pursue the Hare in packs. 



