395 
NATURAL HISTORY NOTES FROM THE TERRINGTON 
CHURCHWARDENS’ ACCOUNTS. 
JOHN WRIGHT, 
Terrington. 
Our oldest Churchwardens’ account book commences in the 
year 1795-6 and ends 1861. I have looked through the various 
entries on its 220 pages and find that the destruction of 49 
animals named the Foulmart or Polecat (Putorius putorius) 
have been paid for as under. The only other animal is the 
Mole (Zalpa europea) which occurs in the single item in the year 
1807-8. Waterton says, ‘I am a friend to the Weasel, and to its 
congener the Polecat—although I know that they will commit 
depredations on game, whenever an opportunity shall occur. 
Still, I consider that the havoc which they make amongst mice 
and rats far overbalances their festa bapa eg against the game 
everybody, presents to our view a symmetry of no ordinary 
beauty. The length of his body is wonderfully adapted to that 
of his neck; and when he carries his prey there is such a 
Stateliness in his whole contour, ee 4; is impossible not to be 
Struck with the elegance of his motion 
1802-3 Paid to Arth' Pickering for 2 a oulmarts 
1805-6 To W® Haythorn for a foulmart Head 
Paid Rob! Hail for a Foulm! sopra a 
1806-7 Jan® 8 2 Foulmarts Heads 
1807-8 Paid W” Nash for sata a 1 Mole in the 
Churchyard oF 
Paid W" Skelton for lve fieilenarts vee 
Paid Jn° Wright for 1 
1808-9 July 29 Paid George Nelson fe 3 foulmiarts 
Paid Tho? Tefsy (Tefseyman) for Do. 
Paid Bland’s boy for 1 do. 
Paid Tho? Hardisty for 1 do. 
Paid W™ Skelton for 3 do. 
1809-1810 Mar: 7 Paid Bour (Bower) Boy fo 2 
foumarts heads ... 
Mar. 27 Paid edw hardikty Skilton ae 
Rob! Hall for 5 ditto ... 
1813-4 Nov: 5 To tang Holliday for Pilar 
Head yee ie ae 
October 1898. 
