CH. I.] Handling Ferrets. 21 



the very first thing they have to learn is to 

 pick up a ferret. Don't grab it by its tail, or 

 hold it by its head as you would a mad bull- 

 dog; but take hold of it lightly round the 

 shoulders, with its front legs falling gracefully 

 out below from between your fingers. Then 

 when you go to the box for your ferrets, and 

 they come clambering up the side like a pack 

 of hungry wolves, put your hand straight in 

 among them without a glove, and pick up 

 which one you require. Don't hesitate a 

 moment. Don't dangle your hand over 

 their heads till you can make a dash and 

 catch one. The ferrets will only think your 

 hand is their supper coming and will grab it, 

 with no ill intent; but if you put it down 

 steadily and slowly, they will soon learn 

 you only do 30 to take them out, and your 

 hand will become as welcome to them as 

 flowers in spring. 



True, at first, with strange ferrets you may 



