AN UNUSUAL VISITOR

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4522, 25 October 1930, Page 3

AN UNUSUAL VISITOR

Polecats are not often seen, but that, they have not disappeared was proved a few nights ago, when a car on its way to Levin ran over one near the Government drain on the Foxton side of the Whirokino bridge. The identity of the animal was (dearly established by its smell, and the driver, who pushed the body aside with his boot, was i awarded by an effluvium that accompanied him all the way home. Some years ago one was killed in a local fowl house in Thymic Street. The body of the polecat is about 17 inches long while the tail is seven or more inches in length. Its colour is a deep blackish brown, Ihe bead, tail and feet almost black and under parts yellowish, tbe ears edged with white and a whiteish space- around the muz/.le. The hair is of two kinds —which is pale yellow or somewhat tawny and long shining hairs of a rich black or brownish black colour which are', most numerous on the darkest parts. The nose of the animal is sharp, the ears short and round and the tail a fine bushy brush of long- hair. The polecat has a po.uch or follicle under the tail which exudes a yellowish, creamy substance of a very fetid odour is particularly strong when the animal is irritated or alarmed.