96 
Cotor. 
Prey. 
COMMON WEESEL. CurassI. 
The whole upper part of the body, the head, 
tail, legs, and feet are of a very pale tawny brown. 
The whole under fide of the body from the chin | 
to the tail is white; but beneath the corners of 
the mouth on each jaw is a fpot of brown. 
This, like the reft of the kind, is very de- 
{tructive to young birds, poultry, and young rab- 
bets; and befides isa great devourer of eges. It 
does not eat its prey onthe place; but after killing © 
it, by one bite near the head, carries it off to its 
young, or its retreat. The weefel alfo preys upon 
moles, as appears by their being fometimes caught 
in the mole-traps. It is a remarkably active ani- 
mal, and will run up the fides of walls with fuch 
facility, that fearce any place is fecure from it; and 
its body is fo fmall, that there is fcarce any hole 
but what is pervious to it. This fpecies is much 
more domeftic than the others; frequenting out- 
houfes, barns, and granaries; where, to make: as 
it were fome atonement for its depredations among 
our tame fowl, it foon clears its haunts from rats 
and mice, being infinitely more an enemy to them 
than the cat itfelf. It brings five or fix young at 
atime: its fkin and excrements are moft intole- 
rably foetid. 
This animal is confounded by Linzeus with the 
Stoat or Ermine. © He feems unacquainted with our 
weefel in its brown color; but defcribes it in the 
white ftate under the title of Svomus, or Mujftela 
nivalls. 
