[Illustration: WEASELS AND ERMINES.]
The Weasels and their many small relatives—the Ermines, Martens, Otters
and many others—are usually classed with the Dog and Cat families and
the Civets and Hyenas, under the second great division of the
flesh-eating animals or those that walk on their toes; known as the
Digitigrade Carnivora.
The fierce little Weasel, which is taken as a type of the whole Weasel
family is the smallest of all the carnivorous animals. It does not often
measure more than six inches in length. It is found all over the
temperate part of Europe, although the most of its relatives prefer the
cold climate of the far North. Its boldness and courage are wonderful,
and it will often seize and kill animals very much larger than itself.
A Weasel has even been seen to attack an Eagle, and after allowing
himself to be carried high into the air, he has succeeded after a long,
hard fight in biting through the throat of the Eagle. Then both fall to
the ground, and the Eagle dies, although the Weasel is not hurt, except
the wounds in his skin made by the Eagle’s talons, which soon heal.
Of all the animals belonging to this family, the Weasel is most easily
tamed, and it soon shows a great affection for its master.