334 THE COMMOK WEESElLi 



Or stretching forth the playful foot. 



Around in wanton gambols rove ; 

 Or gently sip the rosy lip. 



And in light murmurs speak thy love*. 



The motion of the Weesel consists of unequal 

 leaps ; and, on occasion, it has the power of spring- 

 ing some feet from the ground. It is remarkably 

 active ; and will run up a wall with such facility, 

 that no place is secure from it. — It is useful to thtf 

 farmer in ridding him of Rats and Mice,which it will 

 pursue into their holes and there kill; but its depre- 

 dations are not altogether confined to these pernicious 

 animals, as it also very frequently destroys young 

 Poultry and Pigeons. It seizes its prey neaf the liead; 

 and but seldom eats it upon the spot, generally car- 

 tying it away to its retreat. — It often destroys the 

 Moles in their habitations ; as is proved by its be- 

 ing at times caught in the traps laid for those ani- 

 mals. We are told that when it pursues the Hare, 

 that timid creature is terrified into a state of absolute 

 imbecility ; and gives itself up without the least re- 

 sistance, making, at the same time, the most pite- 

 ous outcries. 



A story is related, that an Eagle, having seized 

 a Weesel, mounted into the air with it, and was soon 

 after observed to be in great distress. His little 

 enemy had so far extricated itself, as to be able to 

 bite him very severely in the neck ; which presently 

 brought the bird to the n-round, and 8;ave the Wee- 

 sel an opportunity of escaping. 



* Slla^v, i. iqQ—^'io. 



