—are the gills hanging from below the under beak of a cock: these are taken from a stag (young game cock) at the same time with his comb, so soon as they are sufficiently grown for the operation, which is performed before they are turned down to a master walk. The little finger is insinuated into the throat of the cock, when which is properly distended, the wattles are cut off close all round with the scissars; and, lastly, the comb; the whole being slightly washed with a little weak salt and water.
WAXY
—is a horse of recent reputation upon the turf, whose performances promise to render him a stallion high in estimation. He was bred by Sir F. Poole; foaled in 1790; got by Pot8o's out of Maria, a daughter of Herod. In 1793, when three years old, he won the Derby Stakes (at Epsom) of 50 guineas each, half forfeit, (50 subscribers,) beating twelve; the remainder paying forfeit. The odds twelve to one against him at starting. At Lewes he won a sweepstakes of 10 guineas each, (nine subscribers,) carrying 7lb. extra. At Abingdon he won a sweepstakes of 10 guineas each, 5 subscribers. In 1794, he won the Jockey Club Plate at Newmarket; the King's 100 guineas at Ipswich; a 50l. plate, and 60 guineas, at Lewes. In 1795, the King's Plate at Salisbury. In 1796, the King's Plate at Guildford; a subscription of 10 guineas each, (13 subscribers,) at Lewes; and the King's Plate at Salisbury. In 1797, he broke down in running for the gold cup at Oxford. The following season he was announced as a stallion at 10 guineas a mare, and half a guinea the groom, at Lewes, in Sussex. Two of his produce, each three years old, were brought to the Post last year, 1802; one called Miss Newland, who won two 50l. plates at Canterbury; and Shock, who won 100 guineas at Brighton, and 50 guineas at Newmarket.
WEANING
—is the act of separating a colt or filly from its dam, that it may no longer derive support from suction, but be compelled to collect its own subsistence from such proper articles of aliment as present themselves according to the season of the year, at which such weaning may be found convenient to take place. This must always become dependent upon circumstances, in respect to the kind of country in which the colt is produced, as well as the purpose for which he is bred, and the late or early part of the season in which he was foaled. A foal produced at the latter end of April, or the beginning of May, will better bear weaning in the early part of October, than a foal dropt in June will in two months after; and this is readily accounted for by the great length of summer the former enjoys in respect to growth, strength, and expansion, over the latter. Where the foal, from having fallen late in the year, or any other cause, is observed to be weak in body and constitution, or stinted in growth, great advantage may be obtained by letting him run in an unrestrained state with the dam during the remainder of the winter.
It is in general the custom, particularly with colts and fillies bred for the turf, to wean the latter end of September, or during the month of October; the reason of which is, that as the dam is then again in a state of gestation, it is by no means proper, nor can it be consistent, that a subsistence for the colt should be extracted from the dam, which nature requires to be absorbed for the nutritious support of the fœtus in embryo. At whatever time weaning may be determined on, the transition from one food to another so exceedingly opposite, should not be too suddenly made; the salutary interposition of mashes, made from ground malt and bran, equal parts, and thin in consistence, from which the fluid may be sucked, will prove a pleasing and consolatory assistance for the loss the foal has sustained.
WEASEL
.—The weasel, though little seen in the environs of towns, is an animal very well known in most parts of the country: it varies in no great degree from the stoat, either in shape, make, or propensity. Its favourite alimentary enjoyment seems the destruction of eggs by suction; although it pursues and destroys poultry and game with equal avidity. By some instinctive impulse of scent or sagacity, the weasel is enabled to follow a hare, which it pursues with a kind of energetic phrensy; and whenever the hare unsuspectingly squats, if this inveterate enemy happens to get up, it immediately makes a spring, seizes the hare near the poll, and never quits its hold till the animal (though running in a state of distraction, and with the most piteous cries) is deprived of existence. The weasel may justly rank in the list of venomous animals, for its bite is almost universally fatal: a hare, rabbit, or any other object, bit by the weasel, is never known to recover, but continues in a lingering state till death.
In its pursuits, it has several points much in its favour: its activity, and the peculiar formation of its claws, enable it to scale walls with so much ease, that no spot is secure from its depredations. By way of compensation to the farmer for its luxurious repasts upon eggs and young poultry, it makes some amends by its inveteracy to rats and mice; having a spice of the ferret in its nature, it is to those an inveterate enemy, and pursues them with a most implacable hatred to certain destruction. It is a more successful invader than any other to these smaller animals, as, from its diminutive circumference, it can follow them into their inmost recesses, and destroy with very little ineffectual opposition. To young pigeons it is likewise a destructive depredator; and when it has young, is more bold and indefatigable in its researches. In the dusk of the evening, and by moonlight, it may frequently be seen stealing from its lurking place, under faggot piles or corn ricks, near the farm-house, taking the barns, stables, pig-sties, and poultry-house, in search of prey; which, when they have killed, if not too large, they carry or drag to the place of their retreat. In the summer season, the weasel will venture a great distance from its usual haunts, and the spot which has afforded it winter protection; it is then very frequently found by the sides of rivulets; and is particularly fond of a situation near a mill, and that is concluded to be from the plenty of rats with which they are invariably surrounded.