302 
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 ; 
