THE POLICE OF NATUKE. 
211 
but beneath, there was a black spot of congealed or coagu- 
lated blood, about the size of a shilling, occasioned by the 
weasel's sucking. Hence it is tolerably clear that hares 
and rabbits, when attacked by weasels, do not die of the 
wounds themselves, or from a fracture of the skul_, as is 
generally supposed, but from a species of apoplexy, or rather 
a stagnation of the blood on the brain, occasioned by the 
congealed blood stopping the circulation. 
On another occasion, two skilful bird-catchers were em- 
ployed by a bird-fancier to go into the country for a week, 
and catch him all the bullfinches and goldfinches they could, 
for his shop. From Monday to Friday they had excellent 
sport, and had caught a number of the finest birds ; and, as 
might be expected, were in high spirits at their success. The 
hens were put into one store cage, and the cocks, carefully 
selected, into another, where they received every possible 
care and attention, to preserve their health and plumage. 
On the Saturday they were on the ground by daybreak, 
resolved to catch all they could up to midday, and then 
start by the train, so as to be in London by the evening. 
The store cages, as usual, were placed in the ditch, with 
canvas over them, to prevent the birds being startled, and 
dashing about the cage. The morning turned out most 
unfavourable and wet ; therefore, they packed up their nets, 
and resolved to start for London by the first train. However, 
upon going to the cages, and uncovering them, the hens 
were sprightly enough ; but the cocks were every one of 
them dead ! The grief and astonishment of the men are 
more easily conceived than described. But what could have 
killed the birds ? It was soon explained ; for upon looking 
into the cage, there lay a little weasel in one corner among 
the dead. It just popped up its head, as much as to ask 
what business had they to disturb it in its slumbers. 
The men jumped about like madmen after stones, to kill 
it j but before they could succeed, the little murderer 
worked his way through one of the holes where the birds 
put out their heads to drink, popped through the hedge, and 
got clean away. Thus ended this tragedy, though with but 
little sympathy for the men j for what right had they to 
imprison and enslave these pure songsters of the woods for 
mere profit and pastime ^ 
p2 
