CHAPTER XXXIIL 



GROUND VERMIN : The Polecat. The Stoat. The Weasel. 



UNDER the general name of " vermin " are included a 

 number of birds and other animals whose natural instinct 

 leads them to destroy birds and other animals of an oppo- 

 site character, the existence and increase of which are 

 desirable to the game-preserver. The habits and haunts 

 of vermin, although to some a subject of commonplace 

 knowledge, are, to the generality, rather obscure. It is, 

 however, a matter of necessity to the gamekeeper to be 

 well acquainted with the signs of their depredatory habits, 

 so that he may wage successful war against these creatures 

 when they seek to prey upon his stock. Game-preserving 

 is, to a great extent, dependent upon the vigilance with 

 which ground and winged vermin are sought out and 

 extirpated, for the quantity of game they may capture 

 and destroy is enormous. If left unmolested, vermin 

 multiply and increase to such an extent that they would 

 soon clear off all the game. 



One common characteristic of them all is a large amount 

 of cunning, and, at the same time, great fear of man 

 being near their habitations or about their neighbourhood 

 This strongly prevails in all the weasel tribe, and, despite 

 their pluckiness when captured and "cheek " when one 

 comes upon them unawares, their fear of the scent left by 

 man is very pronounced. To be able to cope with them 



