Howdy all FMLers!  My name is Eric Sampson and I've been lurking for a
few weeks, waiting for an appropriate time and topic to introduce myself.
 
 
 
In response to an earlier posting, Howard Davis asked what *species* had
been introduced to New Zealand, correctly noting that the common name
*ferret* can mean several animals.  (I'm working at home this morning and
can't get his exact words.) Common names can produce all kinds of
misunderstandings---just try talking about weasels and polecats with
someone from Europe!  In any case, Carolyn King, in her _The Natural
History of Weasels and Stoats_, does a great job of covering the
misguided introduction of weasels to New Zealand.  She recognizes two
species that were introduced to the island---common weasels and stoats,
or M. nivalis and M. erminea.  We in North America typically refer to the
stoat as the ermine and, here in Virginia, our "common weasel" is the
long-tailed weasel, or M. frenata.  Dr. King goes on to note that much of
the damage done to the island's ground-nesting birds occurred _before_
the weasels got there, with cats and rats as the major culprits.
 
 
 
Well, enough academics.  As I write this, my two-year-old male Taz is
curled up on my lap while my one-year-old female, Molly, is doing her
best to disturb both of us.  She is also responsible for the fact that I
have no mouse pad this morning (#%&!@ weasel!).  I look forward to
hearing more from the FML and will speak up when I can.  Take care and
Happy New Year to all!
 
 
 
Eric Sampson
[Posted in FML issue 1066]