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]