Quantity of Leshiys is easy to measure by number of forests since every one of them has it’s own Leshiy. When forest area is vast, it isn’t going to be the problem because area of every Leshiy is no more than seven square versts^*. It is more convenient to count Puscheviks which area is limited and narrow. It is primeval forest or forest or forest of immense height (“puscha-dremuscha”). Like the Leshiy, Puschevik over-tops highest trees which helps him to survey the great distances. There are puschevik’s, though, so high, that trees are no higher than up to shoulder to them.

You can deal with Puschevik’s younger brother Leshiy. His children (leshata) are even benevolent to human folk. Grim Puschevik is willing to cross all benevolent intention of Leshiy. All he do is evil, because he remembers that ancient mischief of man is the cause of his fleeing into deep forests. He gives no quarter to any human whether they are women, children or old people. He has no mercy on human helpers, domestic animals. Once victim happens in puscha he's doomed. Puschevik is shaggy and filamentary moss-grown all over his body including his eyes and nose. This gigantic creature able to kill only by his look. When task accomplished he, unlike Leshiy, doesn't mock the body or laugh out loud. He proceeds calmly with feeling that he fulfilled his duty.

Fortunately to humans Puschevik’s are comparatively rare. There are lot of puscha’s where only Leshiys run the things. But “where is death there is always rescue”. Puschevik is clumsy, slow and decrepit and doesn't see what's going on under his feet. All this helps human to escape this creepy anthropomorphic creature. When encounter is inevitable one should run on the double turning sharply out of the puscha, the borders of which Puschevik doesn't dare to cross with his aged feet.

Н.Я.Никифоровскій "Нечистики. Сводъ простонародныхъ въ Витебской Бѣлоруссіи сказаній о нечистой силѣ" / "Nechistiki svod prostonarodnykh v Vitebskoĭ Belorussii skazaniĭ o nechistoĭ sile" by Nikiforovskīĭ, N.I︠A︡. (482: с.72-73)

He is very tall and completely covered with bark. He himself looks like tree. If you happen to get where he lives you wouldn't tell the difference between him and breeches or pines. That's because bark had grown all over him. I’ve seen Puščavіk by myself a few times. It happened one summer when I went to the forest berry picking. I came out on forest margin, kneeled down and pick the berries. And it seemed to me suddenly that someone is watching me. I stood up and hurried out of the woods. When I came home I realized that all the berries were bitter or acidic. It was Puščavіk who slipped bad berries in

Collected in 2006 by I.Shawko in village Hlybaŭka (in Vietka District of Homiel Region of Belarus) from Gulievіch Kaciaryna Fiodarawna (born 1947) (505: p.211; 611: p.195)

To fall into Puščavіk’s clutches is sure death. One day old women drove out her cow to graze and in the field the cow was oxfly-bitten or it was wasp, and ran into the woods. Old woman went to forest and caught the cow. And then she saw a tree falling right at her. She realized that she won't get out of the forest alive and with the cow. She left the cattle and ran. And I know also that Puščavіk doesn't like when one sings in the forest or yells. He doesn't like very much that people sing about their lives. Then Puščavіk will try to do some harm to this person. And this person may become a cripple if he doesn't run because Puščavіk does not forgive offenses.

Collected in 2006 by I.Shawko in village Kuty (in Vietka District of Homiel Region of Belarus) from Talkachova Antanina Mikalaewna (born 1942) (505: p.211; 611: p.195)

Puščavіk is very tall. He may be as high as tallest tree in puscha. He doesn't like human folk, don't know why. There's a tell that Puščavіk does a great mischief to people who happen to be at the place where his house is situated. He may pull out the trees and throw them at human in his rage. See if you can escape.

Collected in 2006 by I.Shawko in village Novyja Hramykі (in Vietka District of Homiel Region of Belarus) from Prakopchyk Nadzieіa Mіkalajewna (born 1934) (505: p.211; 611: p.195)

You can deal and satisfy Leshiy but Puščavіk shows no mercy, especially when entering the puscha with an axe. Then you won't get away sure thing. Only when you bow to him he may spare you. Old folk tells also that you can escape if you get out of the woods quickly.

Collected in 2006 by I.Shawko in village Shejka (in Vietka District of Homiel Region of Belarus) from Roslikava Nina Kanstancinawna (born 1930) (505: p.211; 611: p.195)