THE POLECAT. 7 
their little feet leave in the white snow, and are traced to their domicile. A 
net is then placed over the orifice, and by means of a certain pungent smoke 
which is thrown into the cavity, the inhabitant is forced to rush into the 
open air, and is captured in the net. The hunters are forced to support 
themselves on the soft and yielding surface of the snow by wearing “snow- 
shoes,” or they would be lost in the deep drifts, which are perfectly capable 
of supporting so light and active an animal as the Sable, but would engulf 
a human being before he had made a second step. 
It now and then happens that the Sable is forced to take refuge in the 
branches of a tree, and in that case it is made captive by means of a noose 
which is dexterously flung over its head. 
On examining the fur of the Sable, it will be seen to be fixed to the skin 
in such a manner that it will turn with equal freedom in all directions, and 
lies smoothly in whatever direction it may be pressed. The fur is rather 
long in proportion to the size of the animal, and extends down the limbs to 
the claws. The colour is a rich brown, slightly mottled with white about 
the head, and taking a grey tinge on the neck. 
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Didzo 
POLECAT.—(Putorius fetidus.) 
The PoLecaT has earned for itself a most unenviable fame, having been 
long celebrated as one of the most noxious pests to which the farmyard is 
liable. Slightly smaller than the marten, and not quite so powerful, it is 
found to be a more deadly enemy to rabbits, game, and poultry, than any 
other animal of its size. 
It is wonderfully bold when engaged upon its marauding expeditions, and 
maintains an impertinently audacious air even when it is intercepted in the act 
of destruction. Not only dees it make victims of the smaller poultry, such as 
ducks and chickens, but attacks geese, turkeys, and other larger birds with 
perfect readiness. This ferocious little creature has a terrible habit of de- 
stroying the life of every animal that may be in the same chamber with 
itself, and if it should gain admission into a henhouse will kill every one of 
the inhabitants, although it may not be able to eat the twentieth part of its 
victims, It seems to be very fond of sucking the blood of the animals which 
