Sparingly met with in our wooded districts.
Mustela martes [Pine Marten].
Found chiefly in the higher parts of the county. One was observed, in 1848, to descend from a tree in the hills of Boyndie, and go into a rabbit’s hole. The hole was stopped up, and a spade was brought to dig the animal out. It had, however, escaped by another outlet from the burrow.
Mustela putorius [Polecat or Fumart].
See [page 116].
Mustela vulgaris [Weasel or Whitret].
More frequent than the polecat. Whilst the latter would seem to delight more in plantations and whins, the other would appear to think more of old dykes, grassy hillocks, and small cairns of stones. Both are very destructive, killing much more than they devour. See [p. 111].
Mustela erminea [Ermine or Stoat].
This species is often mistaken for the weasel. They are very similar during summer, their colours being then the same. In winter, however, the ermine changes to a pure white, excepting in a portion of the tail, which is always black. In this state they are all but universally called “White,” or rather “Fite Futrates.” The true weasel never changes.
Lutra vulgaris [Otter].