14 GILPIN OX NOVA SCOTIAN iLODIALS. 



always. The largest tail obtained, 4 8-10 inch, being less than 

 P. Eicharclsonii, and the shortest obtained, 3 1-10 too long for 

 P. Pusillus. This species so abounds, that perhaps in 1000 

 skins, 20 or 30 might be referred to Richardsonii, and I have 

 only obtained one skin that I conld refer to " JVbveboracensis,'" 

 whilst I have never obtained, though so common in New 

 England, a single specimen of Pusillus, or common weasel. 

 The almost insular position of the Province may account for 

 this very limited range of species. My remarks refer to this 

 species alone, as the others are so very rare that I have only got 

 their skins. He is very numerous, though unseen, and is in 

 some degree a nocturnal hunter — he clears the trap not only of 

 bait, but also of the hare or grouse that lies entrapped. The 

 forest or the sterile hills are his usual home, yet he often comes 

 into the open, and frequents stone walls or the cellars of out- 

 houses. Sitting motionless for a while in the forest, the hunter 

 not unfrequently perceives the rustle of a leaf, and then a pair 

 of glittering eyes peering out from it, and presently the daring 

 little robber advancing and boldly tugging at his boot. At 

 certain seasons, numbers congregate by the side of brooks, and 

 will boldly attack intruders upon them. This happened to a 

 gentleman at Aylesford, Nova Scotia, where he came upon a 

 party at a brook side, which there crossed the post road. Their 

 attitude was so hostile, that he was feign to retreat. It is 

 recorded that a man was only rescued from death in Scotland, 

 from an attack of this kind. It is all l3ut impossible for a single 

 man to long resist simultaneous attacks in front and back, 

 leg, and arm, and throat, from a number of these bold sharp- 

 teethed and nimble little creatures. It is interesting to record 

 that the American species retain the hal)it of their European 

 congeners. Mr. Melville, of Hammond's Plains, informed me that 

 a weasel became gradually familiarized al)out his house, at tirst 

 about the farm-yard, then picking up bits of meat thrown to it, 

 and at last it made its nest beneath the porch, lining it with the 

 fur of wood mice. It retained these quarters for two or three 

 years, bringing up several litters, which it allowed him to 

 observe, and finally was drowned in a harness cask. His 



