A HISTORY OF BEDFORDSHIRE tamed the young became as docile as domestic cats. 13. Polecat. Putorius putorius, Linn. Bell — Mustek putorius. Until about the middle of last century the polecat was still fairly common, more partic- ularly in the well wooded districts. Many of the old inhabitants, especially gamekeepers and woodmen, have told me they were familiar with this species in their early days, but nowadays almost the only evidence that remains are the few stuffed specimens that one may occasionally come across. At Ren- hold Wood four or five were killed by Good- liff, who was keeper there many years ago. They were not uncommon in the woods around Bolnhurst, and in Clapham Woods as many as six or seven are stated to have been taken in one week ; at Stanford and Newnham they have occurred, and in more recent years were comparatively well known around Wootton, Maulden and Melchbourne. Major Brooks remarks on its occurrence formerly at Flitwick and Mr. Rouse Orlebar around Hinwick. About 1850 one was seen by Mr. J. King at Southill Fields and another in Southill Park about 1870 ; one obtained at Sherhatch Wood about 1842, and another, a very beautiful old male, trapped in February about 1876 by the keeper at Wilshamstead Wood, are both now in the writer's possession. One was found at Little Staughton in 1867, and a male, which had got its head through some palings and had been unable to extricate it- self at Warden in March 1873. Another male was trapped near Turvey Mill in April 1 880, and about 1882 another, a large speci- men, was trapped under an old archway at Sharnbrook ; all four were mounted by Mr. A. Covington. During the winter 1878-9 a polecat was said to have been seen several times at Putnoe. One was killed at Chicksands Priory 28 March 1879 {Zoologist), a male trapped 11 March 1883 at Henlow Grange [Field) and another trapped at Ickwell Bury 8 December 1883 [Field). One which I have seen in the head-keeper's possession at Woburn was killed in the park about 1886, and a fine old male, which I have also been able to examine, was trapped at Elstow Gorse 26 October 1898 and measured 22 inches when in the flesh. 14. Stoat (Ermine). Putorius ermineus, Linn. Bell — Mustek erminea. Fairly common wherever its numbers are not rigidly kept down by game-preserving. Specimens that have more or less assumed the arctic winter dress are not at all uncommon, and many individuals that have undergone almost the complete change of dress have been obtained ; upwards of a dozen of these have passed through the hands of Mr. A. Covington, and in every instance he adds they were large old males. A correspondent writing to the Field 1879, respecting a stoat's nest and larder found by him on 26 May at Stratton Park, Biggleswade, mentioned that it contained four field mice, twenty-seven par- tridges' eggs (not one of which was injured) and parts of several rabbits. The female and eleven young were killed from the nest, a number considerably in excess of the usual litter of about six. 15. Weasel. Putorius nivalis, Linn. Bell — Mustek vulgaris. Common generally, in spite of game- keepers' efforts to reduce its numbers. Several albinos have been obtained, one at Blunham and another at Great Barford, as I am informed by Dr. Sprigge. In the winter 1896-7 another was taken in a stable at Luton, and still more recently one is recorded in the Field shot 25 October 1898 by Mr. Rouse Orlebar on his lawn at Hinwick. Two albinos at least have been received by Mr. A. Coving- ton, one from near Ravensden church in 1 89 1 and another near the pond in Golding- ton village in 1889 ; in addition he mentions having had several varieties with the white chest and belly spotted with brown. 16. Badger. Meles meles, Linn. Bell — Meles taxus. Now rare, a few remaining in certain favoured haunts, whence those that are occas- ionally killed may have wandered. Until about the middle of last century it was fairly well known throughout the county, and badger-baiting at the local fairs was one of the attractions. Along the chalk-hill range, particularly in the neighbourhood between Sharpenhoe and Hexton, many have been killed in recent years, and in the former locality the remains of one were found by Mr. A. F. Crossman in June 1893 ; several bad- ger-earths have come under my personal ob- servation there, and from this locality they seem frequently to wander into the adjoining parishes. At Silsoe it has several times oc- curred. Davis [History of Luton, 1874) refers to one being caught at Barton some two or three years previously. A stuffed badger that I have seen in the boat-house at Luton Hoo was taken at Stockings Wood about 1887 and weighed 28 lb.; others I learnt have since been taken on that estate. Colonel Hanbury Barclay 140
