THE WEASEL FAMILY.

WEASELS AND ERMINES.

The Weasels and their many small relatives—the Ermines, Martens, Otters and many others—are usually classed with the Dog and Cat families and the Civets and Hyenas, under the second great division of the flesh-eating animals or those that walk on their toes; known as the Digitigrade Carnivora.

The fierce little Weasel, which is taken as a type of the whole Weasel family is the smallest of all the carnivorous animals. It does not often measure more than six inches in length. It is found all over the temperate part of Europe, although the most of its relatives prefer the cold climate of the far North. Its boldness and courage are wonderful, and it will often seize and kill animals very much larger than itself.

A Weasel has even been seen to attack an Eagle, and after allowing himself to be carried high into the air, he has succeeded after a long, hard fight in biting through the throat of the Eagle. Then both fall to the ground, and the Eagle dies, although the Weasel is not hurt, except the wounds in his skin made by the Eagle’s talons, which soon heal.

Of all the animals belonging to this family, the Weasel is most easily tamed, and itsoon shows a great affection for its master.

This little animal is very much like the Weasel in size and form, but it usually prefers a colder climate, and makes its home in the northern regions of Sweden, Norway, Russia, Siberia and Arctic America. These animals do not often measure more than ten inches in length (not including the tail) but their skins are very valuable. They bring a high price, and a very important trade in them is carried on. In summer, the Ermine is of a beautiful brown color above and white below, while the tail is tipped with black. In winter the whole coat becomes a brilliant white, with sometimes a slightly yellow tinge, the tip of the tail remaining black. This is the season in which the fur is most valuable.

MARTEN SEEKING FOOD IN THE TREES.

There are three species of Marten that make their home in Europe and Western Asia—the Pine Marten, the Sable and the Beech or Stone Marten. These all have large, open ears, and long bushy tails, and they live principally upon the trees, where, creeping from branch tobranch, they hunt the small Birds and Squirrels. They are usually found in the gloom of dense forests.

The Beech or Stone Marten is found in all parts of Europe, not only in the woods, but often in thick hedges and vineyards wherever there is shelter for it to creep along and hunt its prey. It will often make its home near a farm house and destroy with great fury the small domestic animals.

The Sable is eagerly sought after on account of its fur. Its home is in the northern part of Europe, in the coldest parts of Russia and Siberia. The Turks, Russians and Chinese are the principal purchasers of their skins, and they distribute them in trade, far and wide, through Europe and Asia. The winter coat of the Sable is almost black and very close, and is much more valuable than when the animal is in summer dress.

The Russian exiles in Siberia hunt the Sable, and when in search of this animal they are exposed to the perils of famine, climate and wild beasts.

The Pine Marten is found in Northern Europe and North America. It owes its name to its supposed preference for the cones of the pine tree, as the Beech Marten is thought to select the fruit of the beech. The Pine Marten is of considerable size; its color yellowish, blended in some parts with a blackish tint; head lighter; throat yellow; tail long, bushy, and pointed. The fur varies in different individuals, both in color and fineness.

This animal lurks in the thick woods, where its prey—Squirrels, Mice, Birds and their eggs—abound. It feeds likewise on Insects, Fish and the smaller Reptiles, and also on berries, nuts and honey. It is active and sprightly, and we are told by Dr. Godman that the Pine Marten frequently has his den in the hollows of trees, but very commonly takes possession of the nest of some industrious Squirrel, which it enlarges to suit its convenience, after putting the builder to death.

These animals are caught for the sake of their fur, which is, however, inferior to that of the Sable Marten. A Partridge’s head with the feathers is the best bait for the log traps in which this animal is taken. It often destroys the hoards of meat and fish laid up by the natives, when they have accidentally left a crevice by which it can enter.

The Marten, when its retreat is cut off, shows its teeth, sets up its hair, arches its back, and makes a hissing noise like a cat. It will seize a dog by the nose, and bite so hard that, unless the latter is accustomed to the fight, it allows the animal to escape.

It may be easily tamed, and it soon acquires an attachment to its master, but it never becomes docile. Its flesh is occasionally eaten, though it is not prized by the Indians.

OTTER FISHING FOR HIS DINNER.

The Otters prefer to live in or near the water, and they are formed to find great enjoyment in this life. Their webbed feet, their slender shape and flattened head make them very active in darting through the water for their prey. They are usually found along the edges of lakes, rivers and streams, where they either dig out a burrow communicating with the water, or make their home in some natural crevice near the bank of the stream. They feed principally upon fish, and they cause a great deal of trouble in the waters near their home, as they arenot satisfied with killing simply to satisfy their hunger, but often hunt and kill the Fish, etc., simply for the sake of killing.

Unlike the most of the Weasel family, the Otters will eatvegetables, although they prefer an animal diet. The skin of the Otter has always been a fur of great value, for it is soft, close and durable. The coat of this animal, like that of the Beaver and almost all of the aquatic Mammals, is composed of two layers—the one next to the skin formed of short, fine, downy hair; the other, which grows through it, is more glossy, longer and coarser.

Otters are found in all parts of the world, but they are most plentiful in Europe and America. The Common Otter measures about two feet and a quarter from the tip of the nose to the tail—which is from twelve to fifteen inches in length. The usual color of the fur is brown, shading to darker tints.

In Kamschatka and on the coasts of the North Pacific Ocean, there exists a species of Otter, which differs from all other species in the softness and brilliancy of its fur, and its living almost entirely in the water. It measures more than a yard in length and is very mild in disposition. The skins of the Sea Otters are very high in price, and are increasing in value, as these animals are becoming very scarce.

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