382 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



same expressions of wild alarm. Anything in the animal world so like the 

 play of human children I could not have conceived. At last the redder of 

 the two became satisfied that he had shown enough valour (for I ought to 

 have told you that on each adventure they came a little closer than the time 

 before), so he took his post on a stone, and contented himself with watching 

 his comrade. She came on as before, but, without the least appearance of 

 any disposition to turn back, came springing towards me till within about 

 six inches. I verily believe she would have run up my legs this time, but 

 the one sittting behind began " curoo, curoo "-ing as shrilly and vehemently 

 as possible, and at that call she turned and galloped back to him. She 

 returned, however, this time running round me, and quietly took a seat 

 behind me some six inches from my feet: pretty as her movements were, 

 I was not quite easy at this situation, for I know the Stoat's agility in 

 running up the trunks of trees very well. However, she was soon trotting 

 round me again. I had my stick in my hand, the end resting on the 

 ground, and the little animal, coming up to this, reared on her hind legs, 

 put both her fore paws on the stick, and began licking it very contentedly! 

 Anyone coming up at that moment would have taken the creature for a 

 very well-tamed pet, instead of a wild Stoat running about " on her own 

 hook." She continued in this position for a little while, and then returned 

 with a self-satisfied air to her comrade, who showed great delight at her safe 

 return. The third Stoat soon after returned, and the games were continued 

 for some time longer (until a cart appeared); but none of the three showed 

 the smallest interest in their human spectator from the time he had been 

 proved innocuous by the liberties taken with his stick : there were races, 

 and somersaults, and romps, but no more Tom Tiddler's ground ; I suppose 

 there was no fun without the element of danger. These 6tories would be 

 nearly incredible to anyone not acquainted with the wonderful courage of 

 the Weasel tribe, and certainly the last feat surprised me beyond measure. 

 I have passed the spot repeatedly since, in hopes of seeing my small 

 friends again, but have not seen a sign of them. — C. B. Moffat (Bally- 

 hylund, Enniscorthy). [Communicated by Mr. R. J. Ussher.J 



Annual Migrations of the Deer of the Sierra Nevada. — A small 

 proportion of the Deer of Central California live constantly in the chapparal 

 belt and foothills of the Sierras, but most of them ascend the mountains 

 as spring advances, some part of them, like our mountain Quail, go over 

 and beyond the summit, and spend the summer on the east slope, where 

 tlu-y remain until food becomes scarce, or cool weather warns them that it 

 is time to return to the milder climate on the west side. Sometimes heavy 

 curly snow-storms find them still on the east side of the mountains, as was 

 the case about Lake Tahoe, October 7th, 1889. On this occasion they 

 started for California as soon as the storm was over, leaving ground that 

 was covered with only about six inches of snow, to make an ascent of 



