24 DECEMBER 1927, Page 17

STOATS AND BIRDS

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—An instance similar to that described on the "County Life" cage of your issue of December 10th, under the heading, "The Blackbird and the Stoat," occurred a year or so ago to two others and myself. We were going out very early in the morning in a car to try for a salmon in the Cumberland Derwent, and at a turn of the road came across a stoat gyrating and tumbling in the dust ahead, surrounded by a circle of admiring sparrows. Although my friend driving pulled up at once, the stoat was alarmed and fled, so we could not observe this play to its intended denouemenI.—I am, Sir, &e., The Vicarage, Ivybridge, Devon. MALCOLM CAMPBELL.