A HISTORY OF 
tamed the young became as docile as domestic 
cats. 
13. Polecat. Putorius putorius, Linn. 
Bell—Mustela putorius. 
Until about the middle of last century the 
polecat was still fairly common, more partic- 
ularly in the well wooded districts. Many 
of the old inhabitants, especially gamekeepers 
and woodmen, have told me they were 
familiar with this species in their early days, 
but nowadays almost the only evidence that 
remains are the few stuffed specimens that 
one may occasionally come across. At Ren- 
hold Wood four or five were killed by Good- 
liff, who was keeper there many years ago. 
They were not uncommon in the woods 
around Bolnhurst, and in Clapham Woods as 
many as six or seven are stated to have 
been taken in one week; at Stanford 
and Newnham they have occurred, and in 
more recent years were comparatively well 
known around Wootton, Maulden and 
Melchbourne. Major Brooks remarks on its 
occurrence formerly at Flitwick and Mr. 
Rouse Orlebar around Hinwick. About 
1850 one was seen by Mr. J. King at 
Southill Fields and another in Southill Park 
about 1870; one obtained at Sherhatch 
Wood about 1842, and another, a very 
beautiful old male, trapped in February about 
1876 by the keeper at Wilshamstead Wood, 
are both now in the writer’s possession. One 
was found at Little Staughton in 1867, and 
a male, which had got its head through some 
palings and had been unable to extricate it- 
self at Warden in March 1873. Another 
male was trapped near Turvey Mill in April 
1880, and about 1882 another, a large speci- 
men, was trapped under an old archway at 
Sharnbrook ; all four were mounted by 
Mr. A. Covington. During the winter 
1878-9 a polecat was said to have been 
seen several times at Putnoe. One was 
killed at Chicksands Priory 28 March 1879 
(Zoologist), a male trapped 11 March 1883 at 
Henlow Grange (Fie/d) and another trapped 
at Ickwell Bury 8 December 1883 (Fie/d). 
One which I have seen in the head-keeper’s 
possession at Woburn was killed in the park 
about 1886, and a fine old male, which I 
have also been able to examine, was trapped 
at Elstow Gorse 26 October 1898 and 
measured 22 inches when in the flesh. 
14. Stoat (Ermine). Putorius ermineus, Linn. 
Bell—Mustela erminea. 
Fairly common wherever its numbers are 
not rigidly kept down by game-preserving. 
Specimens that have more or less assumed the 
BEDFORDSHIRE 
arctic winter dress are not at all uncommon, 
and many individuals that have undergone 
almost the complete change of dress have 
been obtained; upwards of a dozen of these 
have passed through the hands of Mr. A. 
Covington, and in every instance he adds 
they were large old males. A correspondent 
writing to the Field 1879, respecting a stoat’s 
nest and larder found by him on 26 May at 
Stratton Park, Biggleswade, mentioned that it 
contained four field mice, twenty-seven par- 
tridges’ eggs (not one of which was injured) 
and parts of several rabbits. ‘The female and 
eleven young were killed from the nest, a 
number considerably in excess of the usual 
litter of about six. 
15. Weasel. Putorius nivalis, Linn. 
Bell—Muastela vulgaris. 
Common generally, in spite of game- 
keepers’ efforts to reduce its numbers. Several 
albinos have been obtained, one at Blunham 
and another at Great Barford, as I am informed 
by Dr. Sprigge. In the winter 1896-7 
another was taken in a stable at Luton, and 
still more recently one is recorded in the Field 
shot 25 October 1898 by Mr. Rouse Orlebar 
on his lawn at Hinwick. ‘Two albinos at 
least have been received by Mr. A. Coving- 
ton, one from near Ravensden church in 
1891 and another near the pond in Golding- 
ton village in 1889; in addition he mentions 
having had several varieties with the white 
chest and belly spotted with brown. 
16. Badger. eles meles, Linn. 
Bell—Mekes taxus. 
Now rare, a few remaining in certain 
favoured haunts, whence those that are occas- 
ionally killed may have wandered. Until 
about the middle of last century it was fairly 
well known throughout the county, and 
badger-baiting at the local fairs was one of 
the attractions. Along the chalk-hill range, 
particularly in the neighbourhood between 
Sharpenhoe and Hexton, many have been 
killed in recent years, and in the former 
locality the remains of one were found by Mr. 
A. F. Crossman in June 1893 ; several bad- 
ger-earths have come under my personal ob- 
servation there, and from this locality they 
seem frequently to wander into the adjoining 
parishes. At Silsoe it has several times oc- 
curred. Davis (History of Luton, 1874) refers 
to one being caught at Barton some two or 
three years previously. A stuffed badger that 
I have seen in the boat-house at Luton Hoo 
was taken at Stockings Wood about 1887 and 
weighed 28 lb.; others I learnt have since been 
taken on that estate. Colonel Hanbury Barclay 
140 
