BRITISH MAMMALS 
THE POLECAT. 
Mustela putorius, Linnaeus. 
Plate la. 
The Polecat, Fitchet, or Foumart (foul marten), as it is variously 
called, is smaller and more robust in form than the Pine Marten and is 
much less active and alert in character. 
The length of head and body of the male measures about i8 inches, 
the tail 7 or 8 inches. 
The under fur, soft in texture and pale yellowish buff in colour, 
blending with the glossy brown or black, of the long outer hairs, makes 
a beautiful combination of colour and gives to the animal a very hand- 
some appearance. 
It owes its name of Foumart to the highly offensive odour it 
can emit when irritated, which is stronger than in the Stoat or 
Weasel. 
The Polecat is found over northern and central Europe, where it 
occurs even high up among the Alps, but does not penetrate far into 
the southern parts of the Continent. In England it is rare in the 
southern countries and appears to be nowhere common, but, according 
to Mr. Millais, Mammals of Qreat 'Britain and Ireland, it is not so 
rare in Wales as it is generally supposed to be. 
In Scotland, where it was at one time abundant, the Polecat is now 
very scarce. Being very easily trapped, and preying chiefly on rabbits 
which it followed into their burrows, it soon became rare or extinct 
when steel traps became common. As it is also very destructive to game 
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