PUTORIUS VULGARIS, (LinNp). 
THE WEASEL. 
Specific Character.—Smallest of American weasels. Length about six 
inches to root of tail. Tail vertebrze one-fifth to one-sixth the head and body. 
- The terminal hairs about one-third the vertebrae, which do not exceed two inches. 
Tail, slender, not tufted at the tip, Above, almost liver brown; beneath, white. 
¢ No distinet black tip to the tail, though this is sometimes darkest. 
Habitat.—Northern United States northward, common in Ontario. 
Average Size-—Kqual to that of a rat. 
Average Weight—1 pound. 
Average Height—3 inches. 
Average Length.—14 inches. 
— Value of Fur.—Per skin, average 10e. 
The weasel is well known in Ontario, and is in spite of its small size, a most 
_ savage and relentless destroyer of smaller animals. 
The colour of the fur is of a deep reddish brown on the upper parts of = 
body, whilst the under portions of it are of a pure white. 
The tail is uniform in tint with the body, and is not furnished with the tuft 
of jetty hair that is so conspicuous in the stoat. 
The legs are extremely short in proportion to the body, and the neck is so 
long that the head is carried far out, making the fore legs appear as if placed 
___ behind instead of in front of the chest. 
When alarmed the weasel diffuses a powerful and fcetid stench, which 
although notas strong as the odour emitted by the skunk, is distinct and disgusting. 
The weasel is lithe and quick in movement, and being of a destructive 
nature is continually employed in killing its victims. Its attack is almost in- 
variably directed at the head of its prey, and one quick sharp bite generally 
suffices to pierce the brain and cause instant death. Rats, mice, rabbits and 
young birds all fall before it. It is said that the weasel is a destroyer 
of the hare, but as the stoat is often called and mistaken for the weasel, it is 
probable that many of the deeds attributed to the weasel are in reality those of 
the stoat. 
The nest of the weasel is generally found in the cover afforded by a hollow 
tree, and is made of mosses and dry leaves. 
_ Four or five young are born at a time, and two or three litters are produced 
each year. 
The fur is almost valueless. 
