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THE WEASEL. 



one single word of complaint against it — not even 

 for disturbing the soil of the flower-beds. Having 

 no game to encourage, nor fowls to fatten, they may 

 safely say to it, " Come hither, little benefactor, and 

 take up thy abode amongst us. We will give 

 shelter to thy young ones, and protection to thy- 

 self ; and we shall be always glad to see thee." And 

 fortunate, indeed, are those horticultural enclosures 

 which can boast the presence of a weasel ; for 

 neither mouse, nor rat, nor mole, can carry on 

 their projects with impunity, whilst the weasel 

 stands sentinel over the garden. 



Ordinary, and of little cost, are the apartments 

 required for it. A cart-load of rough stones, or 

 of damaged bricks, heaped up in some sequestered 

 corner, free from dogs, will be all that it wants for 

 a safe retreat and a pleasant dwelling. 



Although the weasel generally hunts for food 

 during the night, still it is by no means indolent in 

 the daytime, if not harassed by dogs or terrified 

 with the report of guns. 



When a warm and sunny morning invites you to 

 sit down in some secluded spot, you can scarcely 

 fail to have an interesting sight of the weasel. 

 Whilst all is still around you, it may be seen coming 

 out of a hole in the ground, with its head particu- 

 larly erect at the time ; and it starts and stops at 

 intervals, as though it were afraid to advance. On 

 these occasions, it is often seen with a mouse in its 

 mouth, or with a rat, which it has surprised and 

 brought out of its hiding place in the hedge bot- 

 tom. It> will catch beetles with surprising agility ; 



