^98 



THE WEASEL. 



thirty yards of a plantation where they had a strong 

 settlement. A full-gown rabbit soon made its appear- 

 ance. It took a circuit of nearly ten paces, and re- 

 entered the plantation. Scarcely had it disappeared 

 from view, when a weasel came out upon its track_, 

 and followed scent with the sagacity of a hound. 

 The rabbit soon came out of the wood again, in 

 violent agitation ; and quickly returned to cover. 

 Out came the weasel a second time, and followed 

 up the track with surprising assiduity. The rabbit 

 broke cover once more ; but it was for the last time ; 

 for scarcely had it proceeded a dozen yards ere' I 

 saw that all was over. It stopped short and panted 

 for breath, as though its heart would have burst 

 through its ribs ; and then it began to squeal most 

 piteously. It never took another step to save its life, 

 but sat down on the grass, still continuing its waiU 

 ing. The weasel bolted from the bushes, and jumped 

 upon the rabbit's back, inflicting a death-wound on 

 its prey by biting it just behind the ear. I was 

 sitting quite still at the time, and could easily have 

 despatched either the rabbit or the weasel ; but I 

 did not interfere until the affair was concluded, and 

 then I took the rabbit for my share, and I allowed 

 the weasel to go in search of another supper when 

 and where it might think fit. 



This quadruped, as I have already stated, will 

 plunder the nests of pheasants and of partridges ; and 

 it must often surprise and kill many a Hanoverian 

 rat, whilst the latter is going on the same noxious 

 errand as itself. But I find it no easy matter to 

 watch a bird's nest in the grass, so as to get a sight 



