298 
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 wail- 
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 
