NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 
aloft. Presently the bird turned two or three 
somersaults, but recovered its balance. Then down 
it came with a rush, striking the ground with a 
fearful thud. The gentleman ran to where the 
bird had fallen, and was startled to observe a 
Snake Muishond, which, on hearing him approach, 
raised its head and presently vanished into the 
grass. On examining the bird he found it to be 
dying. Its throat had been dreadfully lacerated. 
When it stooped upon that Snake Muishond it 
evidently caught a “ Tartar.” 
Although this weasel is as bloodthirsty as its 
European cousin, and destroys hares and game 
birds, it must be borne in mind that it is an in- 
veterate enemy of rats, mice, the young and eggs 
of snakes, and hosts of noxious insects. 
Apart from these invaluable services, the Snake 
Muishond is entitled to the protection of man 
for the reason that it preys upon that destructive 
rodent known as the Springhare or Springhaas 
(Pedetes caffer), which does so much damage to the 
crops and vegetable gardens. Like the European 
Weasel, it follows these animals into their burrows 
and destroys large numbers of them. If a nestful 
of young Springhares is found in the burrow, the 
Snake Muishond kills them all, although it may only 
be able to eat one or two. It will boldly attack 
and kill an adult Springhare. Sometimes when 
the creature is gripped by the Muishond, it will 
rush out of its burrow with the keen little hunter 
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