126 CAENIVOEA. 



are those which are just turning white, that is, with a 

 few grey hairs on the^ back Hke the Eussian Hare. 



This animal is sometimes called the Olubster in 

 England. It is said to be more destruciive to game 

 than the Weasel, although its numbers have been much 

 reduced by gamekeepers. It preys on Babbits, small 

 birds, game, poultry, partridges' eggs, etc., and even 

 captures the Mole. It has been known to continue 

 fighting with its winged prey at a considerable distance 

 from the earth. It swims well. It is asserted that it 

 sometimes climbs trees. The Stoat is easily captured 

 alive in long box-traps, and has occasionally been tamed. 

 Like the cat, it carries its young by the nape of the neck 

 to a place of safety. Many Stoats have been sent to 

 New Zealand at considerable expense (about 5s. a head), 

 in order to reduce the enormous quantities of Babbits 

 which are over-running parts of those islands; 3,000 

 Stoats and Weasels were sent from Lincolnshire at the 

 beginning of December, 1885, and 4,000 pigeons were 

 sent as food during the voyage. 



Dr. Eichardson, in his " North American Fauna " 

 (page 47), says that, according to Indian report, the 

 Ermine brings forth ten to twelve young at a time. 



Fielden, in the "Voyage to the Polar Sea" (page 

 194), says : — " I obtained specimens in Grinnel Land as 

 far north as 82° 32', and several examples were shot near 

 Discovery Bay. It is hunted and killed by the Arctic 

 Fox." 



