(1. Mustela, Cuv).

Brown: throat and breast white.

M. Foina, Desm. Mammal, p. 182. Martes Fagorum, Flem. Brit. An. p. 14. Martin, Penn. Brit. Zool. vol. i. p. 92. pi. 6. no. 15.

Dimensions

Length of the head and body eighteen inches; of the head four inches three lines; of the tail nine inches six lines.

Description

Hair of two sorts ; the shorter very fine and soft, and of a pale ash-colour; the longer somewhat rigid, less abundant than the last, ash-coloured at the roots, dusky brown towards the extremity, with a tinge of chestnut red: legs and tail dusky : under parts somewhat paler than the upper: a white spot upon the throat extending itself over the under surface of the neck and anterior portion of the breast.

More generally diffused than the next species, and said to prefer the vicinity of houses. Preys on poultry, game, rats, moles, etc. Breeds frequently in hollow trees, producing from three to seven young at a time.