188 The NaturaMst in Siluria. 



all the winter, and, moreover, an exceptionally severe 

 winter ; but that it had not suffered from the cold was 

 evident, for, when recaptured, it was found in best form 

 and condition, its coat sleek and glossy, itself fat, as if 

 fed from an abundant larder. 



Another curious circumstance I may mention relating 

 to it. When caught, it gave out an offensive odour, of 

 the true polecat essence, and quite as strong. Strange, 

 too, that after being captured and restored to its hutch, 

 it died within three days' time, though it' had received no 

 known injury while being "chevied" and taken. 



Now, it seems only a fair inference that this ferret, 

 having survived one winter out of doors, would have 

 equally got through another, and another — in short, lived 

 out the term of its natural life in the woods of Hope 

 Mansell, had it been left to itself. And why not ? As 

 is well known, all animals of the weasel fraternity can go 

 long fasting, if such be a necessity ; though in the case 

 of this ferret it seemed not to have been. And just for 

 the same reason warmth would be within its reach, no 

 matter how cold the winter, since it could lie up for long 

 spells inside the burrow, and in the snug nest of a rabbit. 

 Therefore, I conclude that there may be many ferrets 

 living wild in our woods — " fitchet ferrets," as they are 

 called, on account of their colour, and for this reason 

 mistaken for fitchets themselves. 



I am able, also, to record a case of the white ferret, 

 which is still more intolerant of cold, running wild and 

 outliving the winter. On the Warrage farm, lying con- 

 tiguous to Eaglan Castle, Monmouthshire, an old and 

 large-sized " hob " of this variety escaped from its owner 

 by getting into a long covered field drain. For twelve 

 months after — and, therefore, the whole round of the 



