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Rh about one-fourth as much more; the female is considerably smaller. The general colour is a light reddish brown; that of the under parts is white.

The prey of the Weasel consists of any animals that it can master, some of these being much larger than itself, as the house-rats, and voles. It climbs trees in search of birds’ nests, sucking the eggs or destroying the young. The chickens from the hen-roost, newly hatched pheasants and partridges, ducklings, and young rabbits, all occasionally furnish a bill of fare for the Weasel. But

WEASEL.

mice and voles of all species, with moles and other small animals usually accounted vermin, are its ordinary prey. When attacked, however, it de-