220 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



The bite of the Weafel is generally fatal. It feizes its 

 prey near the head, and fixes its (harp teeth into a vital 

 part. A hare, rabbit, or any other fmall animal, bit in 

 this manner, is never known to recover ; but lingers for 

 fome time, and dies. The wound is fo fmall, that the 

 place where the teeth enter can fcarcely be perceived. 



It is remarkably active ; and will run up the fides of a 

 wall with fuch facility, that no place is fecure from it. 



The Weafel is very ufeful to the farmer, and much en- 

 couraged by him. During winter, it frequents his barns, 

 out-houfes, and granaries, which it effectually clears of 

 rats and mice. It is, indeed, a more deadly enemy to 

 them than even the Cat itfelf ; for, being more active 

 and fiender, it purfues them into their holes, and kills 

 them after a (hort refiftance. It creeps alfo into pigeon 

 holes, and deftroys the young ones ; catches fparrows, 

 and all kinds of fmall birds ; and when it has brought 

 forth its young, it hunts with {till greater boldnefs and 

 avidity. — In fummer, it ventures at a diftance from its 

 ufual haunts ; is frequently found by the fide of waters, 

 near corn-mills and is almoft fure to follow wherever a 

 fwarm of rats has taken pofleffion of any place. 



The evening is the time when it begins its depreda- 

 tions. Towards the clofe of the day, it may frequently 

 be feen ftealing from its hole, and creeping about the 

 farmer's yard in fearch of its prey. If it enter the place 

 where poultry are kept, it feldom attacks the cocks or 

 the old hens, but always aims at the young ones. It 

 does not eat its prey on the fpot where it has killed it ; 

 but, where it is not too large, carries it away to its re- 

 treat. It alfo breaks and fucks all the eggs it can meet 

 with •, and, not unfrequently, kills the hen that attempts 

 to defend them, 



