486 MAMMALIA. 



there are some places, notably in Wales, where we may still 

 often see it in the winter. In those admirable articles on 

 British Mammals in the 'Zoologist' (1891), Mr Harting tells 

 us that twenty years ago it was comparatively common in most 

 of the big woods in the home counties and within a very few 

 miles of London. It lives in rabbi1>warrens, hollow trees, &c., 

 in the open country, and feeds upon field- and water-voles, 

 rabbits, and birds. Eels form one of its favourite dishes. In 

 winter the polecats come nearer habitations, taking up their 

 quarters in wood-stack's, &c., from whence they come out 

 and suck the eggs in fowl-houses, and even attack the birds 

 themselves. The polecat's work in a hen-house can always 

 be told by the eggs being sucked without being broken. 

 From four to six young are bom in May and June ; the young 

 are blind, and cannot see for a month. Gestation lasts six 

 weeks. There is no doubt but that the polecat is the ancestor 

 of the ferret : one cannot distinguish between the two on ex- 

 amining the skeleton. Instead of ruthlessly destroying the 

 polecat, gamekeepers would do far more good by crossing them 

 with the ferret, for no better workers than this cross can be 

 found. 



The Otter (Lutra vulgaris) is still widely distributed. A full- 

 grown dog-otter may reach thirty-four inches in length, with 

 about eighteen to twenty inches of tail. Its fur is smooth, dark 

 shining brown. The body is more or less flattened, as also is 

 the pointed tail. The short legs end in partially webbed feet, 

 and the ears are covered with flaps of skin. Its whole structure 

 is adapted to a semi-a(|uatic life. Otters inhabit the banks of 

 rivers and lakes, where they feed upon fish, water-rats, frogs, 

 insects, and even water-birds. They are not nearly so destruc- 

 tive to fine fish as is generally supposed, for they in preference 

 take eels, roach, bream, and even jack. 



The Badger {Meles torus) is still fairly common in Britain, 

 although not often seen on account of its strict nocturnal 

 habits. In length some badgers reach over three feet, and 



