1882-83.] Edinburgh Naturalists' Field Club. lOi 



all of tliein more or less cruel^ — such as stitcliing the under and 

 upper lips together, or tying the two jaws tightly together, both of 

 which methods entail immense suffering on the poor brutes. Break- 

 ing the teeth, also, is often resorted to where the ferrets are to be 

 used only in catching rabbits ; but when rats are to be hunted they 

 then require the whole benefit of their teeth. We proved by the 

 ferret in question that these muzzling precautions are quite unnec- 

 essary, and that all these animals require to make them more tract- 

 able is better treatment on the part of their owners. Surely it is 

 not wonderful that, seeing the only breath of air ferrets usually 

 get when in captivity is inhaled through the bars of a not over- 

 clean box, they resent this treatment, and when in possession of 

 their liberty take full advantage of it, and sometimes even refuse 

 to allow themselves to be taken' from an empty hole, and bolt back 

 the instant they see any one make an attempt to take hold of them. 

 The ferret we had was worked unmuzzled, and with unbroken teeth, 

 and he was so trained that he came at call. If we considered he 

 was too long in the burrow, we had only to pat with the hand in- 

 side the mouth of the hole, when he came at once and allowed him- 

 self to be lifted. These brutes seem to have no bones, which makes 

 it a difficult matter to handle them ; and any one not accustomed 

 to the process would find it imjDossible to lift one off the ground — 

 especially if the ferret is moving — without giving it an oi^portunity 

 of biting if so inclined. They can screw and twist themselves into 

 a hole which one would think a mouse would find a difficulty in 

 entering; and they can be rolled into a ball, and thereafter tied tightly 

 in a linen bag, without apparently suffering any great harm thereby. 

 This mode of carrying them is usually resorted to by poachers, 

 as the ferrets are prevented from moving in such a way as to attract^ 

 the attention of any one passing — which they are apt to do if siuq^ly 

 carried loose — as, being of a restless disposition, they keep scratch- 

 ing with their feet at the lining of the pocket. In return for a 

 day's shooting, we gave the loan of our friend to the lessee of a 

 rabbit warren, who sent word in a few days that he had lost the 

 animal ; but we were quite sure that this was not the case, and 

 that the ferret was simply retained on account of his good qualities. 

 We had this consolation, however, that the gentleman would not 

 profit long by his ill-gotten gain, for we well knew that a few 

 weeks' ill-treatment would reduce our friend to the ordinary ferret 

 level. Most animals, as well as ferrets, are in a great measure 

 what man makes them, and we should never wish to have a quieter 

 pet than this usually fierce creature. Kindness has a wonderful 

 effect upon animals, and so has cruelty — which latter, however, is 

 often the result of ignorance and thoughtlessness. The most affec- 

 tionate and trustworthy dog we ever had came into our possession 

 with a character which was quite alarming. He had been kept con- 



