THE WEASEL. 421 



longer," which Gilbert White mentions as being called a cane * 

 by the country people in Hampshire. 



There seems to be a great disparity in the relative numbers 

 of the sexes, or else the female is better able to take care 

 of herself; perhaps her smaller size favours her concealment. 

 However that may be, most keepers assert that they trap and kill 

 many more males than females. It is stated by Bell, in his 

 1 British Quadrupeds ' (2nd ed. r p. 187), that two or three litters 

 are annually produced, but this appears doubtful, for, so far as 

 we are aware, there is no evidence on record to prove that any 

 of our native Carnivora breed more than once in the year.f The 

 young, from four to six in number, are to be found in what may 

 well be termed a nest, for it is generally a hole in a bank or tree- 

 root, or in a stone or wall, lined with dry grass or leaves. The 

 period of gestation is presumably the same as in the Polecat and 

 Ferret, namely six weeks ; but we do not know whether this has 

 been definitely ascertained by keeping a pair in captivity. A. 

 young Weasel is very helpless for some time, and will remain 

 where dropped by the parent if she is disturbed when carrying it, 

 as she does, in her mouth. If the young are discovered before 

 they are able to take care of themselves, the old one will defend 

 them, and will courageously fly at the nose of any dog who 

 presumes to look in upon them. 



There is no reason why Weasels should not be kept in cages 

 like Squirrels, for they make most amusing pets. They are 

 extremely playful, and although at first their natural timidity 

 causes them to hide a good deal, they gradually get over this 



* Cane, a little dog, cognate with canis. In Surrey it is called Kine. 

 In East Sussex it is known as Beale ; in Yorkshire, Bessel or Bezzel ; in 

 Norfolk, Mouse-hunter ; in East Suffolk, Whitethroat (male) and Mouse- 

 hunt (female). Gilbert White, also, has another observation on this animal 

 which is worth quoting. In his fortieth letter to Pennant, he writes : — 

 "Weasels prey on Moles, as appears by their being sometimes caught in 

 Mole-traps." The fact of their being caught in Mole-traps is vouched for by 

 more recent writers (see, for instance, ' The Field ' of 25th March and 8th 

 April, 1882), but it is possible that the Weasel might be merely following the 

 Field-mice which make use of the Moles' runs. 



f Dr. Kitzema Bos, in his ' Tierische Schadlinge und Niitzlinge fur 

 Ackerbau,' states that in years when field-mice are exceptionally abundant, 

 there appears to be a second litter of young Weasels in the early autumn 

 months. 



