166 The Mammalia of Essex; a Contribution towards a
is of the same reddish brown tint as the upper surface of the
body. An additional distinction is found in the usually
smaller size of the weasel, a character, however, which is
not invariable, as I have seen weasels quite the average stoat
size, and full-grown stoats as small as undersized weasels.
This is another of the so-called "vermin," and the weasel is
destroyed whenever met with,—a great mistake, in my
opinion, as its prey consists principally of the smaller
mammals. Its food is not, however, confined to these, as I
have found beetles, lizards, slow-worms, and other small fry
in the stomachs of those I have examined. I believe it is
very rare for the weasel to interfere much with game; and
even if it did much damage in this respect, it could never
cause half the jealousies, quarrels, and miseries produced by
the excessive preservation of game. In some parts of England
it is, when small, called a "mouse-hunter," and well it
deserves this name. When chasing a mouse it keeps to the
scent ae well as the best fox-hound, and seems quite regard-
less of onlookers. I have said "keeps to the scent;" perhaps
I ought to have said it never passes over the scent, even
when in full gallop. The manner of its chasing a mouse, in
all cases that I have observed, is by making casts diagonally
across the mouse's track; and this plan of hunting, I have an
idea, is not confined to the weasel. In spite of persecution
this little animal is common in all parts of Essex, on the
marshes especially so; and there I have found evidences in
casts that it is not unfrequently eaten by herons.
Mustela Erminea. The Stoat.—This bloodthirsty, active,
and destructive member of a specially bloodthirsty family,
is very common throughout Essex, persecution on all sides
appearing to have little influence on its numbers. Its food and
habits are similar to those of the weasel, but I fear I cannot
defend it from the charge of being very destructive to game.
Although mice and such small creatures contribute to its
sustenance, still I think the larger mammals, as hares,
rabbits, and rats, are its favourite prey, which it chases by
scent, as most who have lived in the country will have had
opportunities for observing. Hares and rabbits, after being