The naturalist's library Volume 7 - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1838 edition. Excerpt: ...their burrows, and frequently seizes on young hares. Besides birds and quadrupeds, it also feeds on fishes and frogs, which have in some instances been found in its nest. The figure intended to illustrate this species is represented, after Bewick, as carrying an eel to its retreat, in which, as related by that celebrated engraver, eleven individuals were found. This species is generally distributed in Britain; and, although of rare occurrence in the more cultivated tracts, is not uncommon in the hilly and wooded districts. It produces five or six young in the beginning of summer. The fur is held in con siderable estimation, but the market is supplied from the northern countries of Europe. The Ferret, which with us exists solely in a state of domesticity, is by some supposed to be but a variety of the Polecat, and has, at least, been known to breed with it. But it is, on the other hand, alleged that the Ferret has come to us from Africa, is extremely impatient of cold, and of a totally different colour. Our Ferrets, however, are obviously albinoes, their fur being white, and their eyes red. We know othing of their original colour; and in form, proportions, and propensities, they do not differ remarkably from the Polecat. THE STOAT OR ERMINE. PLATES XI. And XII. Mustela Ermine.--Linn. Tail a third of the entire length; fur short, its colour in winter yellowish-white, in summer brownish-red on the upper parts; the terminal half of the tail always blade. Mustela Erminea. Linn. Syst. Nat. I. 68; Desmar. Mammal. 180; Jen. Brit. Vert. Anim. 18; Bell, Brit. Quadr. 148. 4mong the many individuals of this species which I have examined, some so much exceeded others in size and weight, that I was induced to suspect the existence of two Ermines in Britain;...