THE RETURN OF THE VERMIN.
It is good news—at least to some of us—that certain vermin (if one must use the word) are increasing very considerably in the west of Britain. Polecats have returned, and it was held some few years ago that they were almost extinct ; and there are some who think that the pine marten may be seen again. Some of the vermin, especially stoats and weasels, find peculiarly safe and congenial homes in the walls common to the country. The other day a pedestrian in Cardiganshire saw a young stoat playing about in the road and was inclined to kill it. But the mother set up such an agonized chattering and calling from the nursery in the stone wall that he desisted in very proper pity for both mother and babe. The wall made of narrow stones set up endways provides ideal crevices for a number of animals, including bats ; and though a few are killed by cars the roadside wall is altogether free from traps and keepers. Close to the dwelling of this family of stoats is the wood where polecats have been seen in numbers.
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