MAMMALIAN FAUNA ON NORTH CARDIGANSHIRE. 327 



Variety. — During the last ten or twelve years a number of 

 Polecats of a very light colour have been killed in North Cardigan- 

 shire. In all other respects they resemble the dark-coloured 

 animal, but the largest specimen of the light variety that has 

 been caught exceeds slightly in size even the large individuals of 

 the common Polecat. The colour may be described roughly as : 

 underfur light buff, the longer hairy coat being a reddish-brown. 

 AYhen seen in sunlight the latter shows a kind of faint purple 

 "haze"; it is difficult to describe it otherwise. The facial 

 markings are the same in the dark specimens in all the examples 

 which I have examined, but this would appear to be not invari- 

 ably the case, according to Mr. Forrest (' The Vertebrate Fauna 

 of North Wales '). These light Polecats are killed from time to 

 time. There are only some three records of them for the years 

 1914-15, but this may be due to the unsettled condition of the 

 country rather than to greater scarcity. (See also under notes 

 on the mammals.) 



I give a list of some of the localities in which this light Pole- 

 cat has been killed, Mr. Hutchings being my informant with 

 regard to the earlier occurrences. 



The first light Polecats were killed some years ago at Tregaron. 

 The parents were a dark male and a light female, while the 

 young (about four) all closely resembled the light-coloured 

 mother. Another male (Tregaron). A very large male* (near 

 Llanilar). A male (Crosswood). A male (Goginan). A male 

 (near Ynyslas). Other specimens, of which the sex is not known, 

 "were caught near Llanbadarn-fawr (one), Penllwyn (one), and 

 Bow Street (one). A young individual was killed on Borth Bog 

 early in the summer of 1915. Another, belonging to the same 

 litter, resembled the common dark Polecat in every respect. t 



Stoat (Putorius ermincus, Linn). — Abundant in the uplands 

 and lowlands of north Cardiganshire. It has been killed in the 

 middle of the town of Aberystwyth (1912). Stoats may often be 

 seen on the main and other roads of the district. During wet 

 winters I have observed that they become very bold and fearless. 

 At such times I have actually released young Ptabbits from them, 



* Now in the U.C.W. Zoological Collection. 



f In the same Collection. See also notes on the local mammals, where 

 this occurrence is discussed more fully. 



