THE STOAT. 
293 
Mm, and sent Ms compamon to fetch it. Just as he arrived, bearing the weapon, the Stoat 
descended the tree, and running to the rabbit, which had lain as if paralyzed on the ground, 
tried to drag it away, but was stopped by the contents of the gnn, which involved the Stoat 
and its victim in a common fate. 
Birds’ nests of all kinds are plundered by this incorrigible poacher, for its quick eye and 
keen nose enable it to discover a nest, be it never so carefully hidden ; its agile limbs and sharp 
claws give it the power of climbing any tree -trunk, and of clinging to any branch which will 
bear the weight of a nest and eggs ; while its lithe and serpent-like body enables it to insinuate 
itself into any crevice that is sufficiently large to afford ingress and egress to the parent birds. 
The pheasant and partridge are said to be sad sufferers from the Stoat, which is mercilessly 
slain by the keeper with the aid of traps or gun, the former being the preferable mode of 
destroying “vermin.” The traps in which Stoats are to be caught are most ingeniously 
placed in certain tempting “runs” to which the Stoat, being a dark-loving animal, is sure to 
be attracted. For several days the baits are laid on the traps, which are left unset, so that the 
Stoats find out the locality, and think that they have fallen upon a most hospitable ground. 
When they have accustomed themselves to eat the baits with impunity, the keeper sets the 
traps, and immolates the hapless visitants. 
When the female Stoat is providing for the wants of a young family, she forages far and 
wide for her offspring, and lays up the produce of her chase in certain cunningly contrived 
larders. In a wood belonging to Lord Bagot, a Stoat nursery was discovered, having within 
i t no less than six inhabitants, a mother and her five young. Their larder was supplied with 
five hares and four rabbits, neither of which had been in the least mangled, with the exception 
of the little wound that had caused their death. In another nest of Stoats were found a num- 
ber of small animals, such as field-mice, birds, and frogs, all packed away in a very methodical 
manner, In two nests which were found in Tollymore Park, the Stoats had laid up an abun- 
dance of provision. In one of them there were six or seven mice, besides other small animals, 
all laid with their heads in the same direction. In the other nest was a more extensive assort- 
ment of dead animals. A dozen mice, a young rabbit, and a young hare were laid in the store- 
house, together with the feathers and tail of a woodcock, showing that even that wary bird 
had fallen a victim to the Stoat. 
Although the Stoat is so formidable an enemy to rats and mice, and destroys annually 
such numbers of these destructive animals, it sometimes happens that the predaceous animal 
finds its intended prey to be more than its match, and is forced ignominiously to yield the 
contest. One of these animals was seen in chase of a rat, wMch it was following by scent, and 
at a great pace. After a while, the Stoat overtook the rat, and would have sprung upon her, 
had not its purpose been anticipated by a sudden attack from the rat, which turned to bay, 
and fiercely flung herself with open jaws on her pursuer. The Stoat was so startled at so 
unexpected a proceeding, that it fairly turned tail and ran away. The rat now took up the 
pursuit, and chased the Stoat with such furious energy that she drove her enemy far from the 
place. It is probable that the rat had a young family at hand, and was urged to this curious 
display of courage by the force of her maternal feelings. 
On account of its agile limbs, sharp teeth, and ferocious disposition, even a single Stoat 
would be a dangerous opponent for an unarmed man. But if several Stoats should urnte to 
attack a single man, he would find himself in bad case, armed or not. Such a circumstance 
has been lately communicated to me, my informant having heard it from the lips of the princi- 
pal actor in the scene. 
A gentleman was walking along a road, when he saw two Stoats sitting in the path. He 
idly picked up a stone, and flung it at the animals, one of which was struck, and was knocked 
over by the force of the blow. The other Stoat immediately uttered a loud and peculiar cry, 
wMch was answered by a number of its companions, who issued from a neighboring hedge, and 
sprang upon their assailant, rmming up his body with surprising rapidity, and striving to 
reach his neck. As soon as he saw the Stoats coming to the attack, he picked up a handful of 
stones, thinking that he should be able to repel his little enemies, but they came boldly on, in 
spite of the stones and of his stick. Most providentially a sharp wind happened to be blowing 
