415 
POLEC/VT. 
to its retreat; and sometimes it carries off the 
heads alone. During the summer^ however, it 
principally frequents rabbet-warrens, or the hollow 
trunks of trees^ &c. &c. and prowls about in quest 
of young birds, rats, field-mice, &c. According 
to the Count de Buffon, a single family of Pole- 
cats is sufficient to destroy a whole warren of rab- 
bets ; and he observes, that this would be a simple 
method of diminishing the number of rabbets 
where they are too abundant. In Spain the Fer- 
ret is said to have been formerly introduced for a 
similar purpose. The Polecat also preys occa- 
sionally on fish ; of which a curious instance is re- 
corded in Mr. Bewick's History of Quadrupeds, 
During a severe storm, one of these animals was 
tracked in the snow from the side of a rivulet to 
its hole^ at some distance from it : as it was ob- 
served to have made frequent trips, and as other 
marks were seen in the snow^ Avhich could not 
easily be accounted for, it was thought a matter 
worthy of more diligent enquiry; its hole was ac- 
cordingly examined ; the animal taken ; and 
eleven fine eels were discovered to be the fruits of 
its nocturnal excursions ; the unusual marks in the 
snow having been made by the motion of the eels 
while dragged along in the animal's mouth. That 
the Polecat, however, sometimes feeds in this 
manner, is, in reality, no new observation ; since 
Aldrovandus assmxs us that it will occasionally 
take up its residence in the hollow banks of rivu- 
lets, in order to lie in wait for, and prey upon, 
fish. The Polecat is also delighted with milk, 
