309 Ground Vermin. 



those mentioned as agreeable to the stoat and polecat, only 

 that they must be light, airy, and warm, instead of being 

 dark and closely sheltered. Such spots do weasels 

 frequent, and forming, where necessary, tortuous and 

 narrow passages leading to some larger ones, they collect 

 together in communities large enough to cope success- 

 fully with such enemies as they may have, besides men and 

 dogs. From these dwellings the little animals issue, and 

 going off in batches, seek their prey and pleasure first, 

 of course, as above noted, eggs and young birds. 



The eggs of all game-birds are particularly liable to the 

 attacks of weasels, as they are mostly deposited in such 

 places as are sure to be more or less frequently visited 

 by the vermin ; besides, being in all cases on the ground, 

 they are more certain to be detected. Not only are the 

 eggs of game-birds open to the attacks of weasels, but also 

 the young from the time they are hatched until sufficiently 

 matured to take a long flight. Taken altogether, there is 

 some long period during which our partridges and 

 pheasants may or may not have their nests destroyed, and 

 the vermin is a most indefatigable searcher, as noted 

 before, when eggs and young birds are to be obtained. 

 Creeping stealthily up from behind upon the parent bird 

 whilst seated on the nest, the weasel invariably makes a 

 rush to obtain the bird as well as her brood, and unless 

 the vermin is not quick, or, perhaps, strong enough, it 

 generally succeeds in its destructive purpose. 



Leverets, also, are captured by weasels, and, in most 

 cases, single-handed rather a large performance for such 

 a diminutive poacher, no doubt, but still occurring pretty 

 often. On other occasions, however, more than one weasel 

 will attack a full-grown hare, and often a little army of 

 six or seven. Of course, when this is the case, the hare 

 runs but a poor chance, and once caught and set upon is 



