POLE-CAT

.—The pole-cat is a species of vermin, partaking, in some degree, of the figure and propensities of the MARTIN and the FERRET ; or rather between both. It is smaller than the one, and considerably larger than the other; is an inhabitant of the bushy coverts in the neighbourhood of lonely farm-houses; to the POULTRY , EGGS , and DOVE-HOUSES , of which they are constant and destructive enemies. The effluvia, or rather stench , arising from their bodies is so truly offensive, that it has long since laid the foundation of the well-known proverbial expre ion of " stinking like a POLE-CAT ."