DOMESTIC AND SEMI-DOMESTIC ANIMALS 41 



which it is descended. I remember, however, seeing some specimens 

 of Ferrets possessed by my gamekeeper friends that have equalled 

 in bulk the Polecat of the unfettered wilds, and I also remember 

 on one occasion meeting an almost tame Ferret in a country lane 

 which, at the time of my interview with it, I certainly took to be a 

 Polecat, so large was it, and so similarly coloured. I have always 

 had a warm place in my affections for the Ferret ever since that 

 fatal day when I stupidly killed an inoffensive semi-domestic animal 

 which, instead of boding me harm as I interpreted, was, as a matter 

 of fact, doing its best to make friends with me ! 



It appears that a well-known ferreter had visited a village 

 barber's, and whilst there one of his best Ferrets had escaped from 

 his bulky pocket. It was making its way homewards when I 

 encountered it in a quiet country lane, and I did not learn until I 

 returned to the village that instead of possessing a wild Polecat, I 

 had been the victim of misfortune (or stupidity !) and had slain the 

 missing Ferret that had escaped from the barber's shop ! 



The Ferret is usually smaller and more slender than the Polecat, 

 and although the general colour is stated to be yellowish-white, those 

 which I have seen have mostly been brown or brownish. These are 

 known, it is true, as Polecat-Ferrets. 



Those who do not know how to handle such animals as these 

 should hesitate before doing so, for they are hardly to be trusted, 

 except by those whom they come to recognize. Some individuals 

 never seem to become thoroughly trustworthy, whilst others I have 

 seen which have appeared as gentle as the proverbial kitten ! They 

 are largely used for ratting and rabbiting, the Ferret being put 

 into a hole. The precaution is usually taken of either muzzling the 

 Ferret or attaching a string to it, as otherwise the animal would 

 probably find the occupants inside so attractive and enticing as to 

 render its recovery a very difficult matter. Naturally enough such 

 an enemy appearing upon the scene frightens Brer Rabbit to dis- 

 traction, and the wary creature bolts for his very life ! Out he comes, 

 only to find himself a prisoner in a small bag-like net placed over 

 the entrances to the burrows, or he is shot as he comes out. 



When ferreting, as in almost all other occupations where the 

 ways of wild folk are concerned, it is essential that absolute quiet 

 should be preserved, as otherwise the Rabbits will remain in the 

 interior and "prefer to be eaten alive by the Ferret in their holes 

 rather than attempt to escape." 



