180 Transactions, — Zoology, 



diminishing before it.* It would thus appear from these facts, that it has 

 not yet reached its limit of increase, but that it must before long do so, 

 becoming a pest which (Jamaica being a very mountainous country, well 

 wooded and well watered) it would be impossible to extirpate entirely, and 

 even if this were partially accomplished it is scarcely probable that it would 

 be in time to prevent the extermination of at least some valuable native 

 birds. It is therefore evident that these beasts being naturally prolific will 

 in a new country be much more so ; as are the hare, rabbit, and I may add 

 the fox also, as it is said to have become already a pest in Victoria. A ferret 

 in this district has been known to have 14 young at a birth, the number at 

 home being, as above-mentioned, 6 to 9. It must be remembered that the 

 destruction of these vermin is forbidden by law, and that not only will those 

 to whom they are useless, or positively mischievous, be now prevented from 

 destroying them, but they will be compelled when these beasts become a 

 pest to destroy them at their own expense (as with the rabbits) in addition 

 to whatever loss or injury they may have suffered from them, and without 

 regard to the fact that they may not only have had no hand in the introduc- 

 tion of these vermin, but have been consistently opposed to it. 



3. It appears, therefore, that it will be very difficult, probably impos- 

 sible, to exterminate them, especially in rough or wooded country. 



4. They have no marked preference for any one species of animal, but 

 habitually live on birds and small mammals, so that being very lithe and 

 agile, and for the most part active climbers and bold swimmers, no species 

 of bird would escape their ravages, which would be the more destructive as 

 both weasels and ichneumons are nocturnal animals. The stoat, for 

 example, can climb any tree, and is so light and active, that any branch is 

 accessible to it that will bear the weight of nest and eggs, and it is particu- 

 larly destructive to game and poultry, while being an excellent swimmer it 

 might prove very destructive to fish, especially if a good diver (like the 

 polecat, which is able to catch eels), as it probably is. 



5. The weasels habitually destroy large numbers of animals from mere 

 love of killing, and very frequently do no more than suck the blood or eat 

 the brains of their prey, habits which, whatever ■recommendation they may 

 be in regard to the rabbits, must certainly lead to the extermination of many 

 native birds, and those the most valuable and curious, such as cannot be 

 adequately replaced by any foreign species. Furthermore, both "game" 

 and "native game" would be very greatly reduced, the latter probably 

 exterminated. The hare, too, would share the fate of the rabbit, as when it 

 finds itself tracked by a stoat or weasel, it seems to despair of escape, and 

 is killed without difficulty. 



* Sc. American, 24th March, 1883, 



