SELECTIONS FROM 
THE FAUNA OF BANFFSHIRE, 
By THOMAS EDWARD, A.LS, 
MAMMALS. 
Metes taxus [Badger or Brock]. See p. 107. 
Sparingly met with in our wooded districts. 
Musrzna martes [Pine Martin]. 
Found chiefly in the higher parts of the county. One was ibsenved, 
in 1848, to descend from a tree in the hills of Boyndie, and go 
into a rabbit’s hole. The hole was stopped up, and a spade was 
‘brought to dig the animal out. It had, however, escaped by an- 
other outlet from the burrow. 
Mousre.a purortius [Polecat or Fumart]. 
See p. 118. 
Mustena vuiearis [ Weasel or Whitret]. 
More frequent than the polecat. While the latter would seem to 
delight more in plantations and whins, the other would appear to 
think more of old dikes, grassy hillocks, and small cairns of 
stones. Both are very destructive, killing much more than they 
devour. See p. 112. 
Mosrea erminea [Zrmine or Stoat]. 
This species is often mistaken for the weasel. They are very simi- 
lar during summer, their colors being then the same. In winter, 
however, the ermine changes to a pure white, excepting in a por- 
tion of the tail, which is always black. In this state they are all 
but universally called “White,” or rather “Fite Futrates.’ The 
true weasel never changes. 
Lurra vonearis [ Otter]. - 
Often met with in suitable localities along the sea-shore, as well as 
by many of our streams and streamlets. See p. 117. 
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