Practical Game-Preserving. 34 



kingdom, the change is seldom perfectly completed, and if, 

 as far as colour is concerned, it does take place, still the fur 

 is rarely sufficiently blanched to become of much commercial 

 value. But in the most northern parts the transition from 

 the dark to the lighter coat is generally complete, and 

 there is no appreciable difference between the ermine 

 imported and that obtained from the bleak moors of 

 Caithness and similar counties. 



That this peculiar variation in the colour of the fur 

 takes place oftener than is generally supposed may be 

 very likely, but it rarely comes to people's notice, probably 

 on account of its occurring in places which, owing to the 

 roughness and severity of winter on such exposed lands as 

 would most likely cause the change, are rarely, if ever, 

 visited by those persons who take an interest in such 

 matters, and could draw attention to any instances which 

 might come under their observation. 



While agreeing as to the cause of this alteration of 

 colour, authorities differ as to the exact manner in which 

 it is accomplished, and even now it is not satisfactorily 

 determined whether the colour of the hair or the hair 

 itself is changed ; but no doubt it follows the usual course 

 of such changes, the colour changing in autumn, and the 

 fur being shed in spring. 



The weasel, the smallest and commonest member of 

 the tribe, approximates in figure and habits to the 

 larger and more destructive stoat. It is of a very 

 red-brown on the upper and outer parts of its body, 

 and pure white upon the under and inner parts, while the 

 tail is of the same red-brown colour as the body and 

 perfectly uniform. The stoat, on the other hand, is dull 

 red-brown above and a dirty-yellowish white beneath, and 

 the tail is black at the extremity, and longer and more 

 bushy than that of the weasel, while the latter animal is 



