84 



THE WEASEL. 



hand, into which I pour very little at a time, and 

 his custom of sipping the little drops and edges 

 of the fluid, it seems probable that he drinks dew 

 in the same manner. He seldom drinks water, 

 and then onlyfor want of milk, and with great 

 caution, seeming only to refresh his tongue once 

 ■or twice, and even to be afraid of that fluid. 

 During the hot weather it rained a good deal ; I 

 presented to him some rain-water in a dish, and 

 endeavored to make him go into it, but could not 

 succeed. I then wetted a piece of linen cloth in 

 it, and put it near liim, and he rolled upon it 

 with extreme delight. 



" One singularity in this charming animal is 

 his curiosity. It is impossible to open a drawer or 

 a box, or even to look at a paper, but he will ex- 

 amine it also. If he gets into any place where I 

 am afraid of permitting him to stay, I take a pa- 

 per or a book, and look attentively at it, on which 

 lie immediately runs upon my hand, and surveys 

 with an inquisitive air whatever I happen to hold. 

 I must further observe, that he plays with a 

 young Cat and Dog, both of considerable size 



getting about their necks, backs, and paws, with- 

 out their doing him the slightest injury." 



Chief among the enemies of this cunning lit- 

 tle creature is the Owl. Often when he is out 

 after Chickens, the Owl is out after him. Once 

 spied by the Owl, and, faster than the eye can 

 follow, the stoop, is made, and the nimble quadru- 

 ped is a prisoner in the sharp claws of its winged 

 foe. Rising again, the Owl mounts above the 

 trees, and pursues his way toward a ruined tower 

 that has serv'ed the purpose of a dining-room to 

 him many times before. 



But suddenly, even in mid-air, his strokes be- 

 come feeble, a single harsh note is uttered, the 

 wings then cease to beat and become fixed, and 

 the upward course changes to a downward one ; 

 and, with outstretched claws and stiffened body, 

 the bird falls headlong to the earth, a long line of 

 escaped feathers floating lightly away from him 

 as he descends. The Weasel having twisted itself 

 around as it was borne aloft, seized the bird 

 by the throat, and slew him with its sharp 

 teeth. 



