THE FEKRET AND THE MINK. 101 



is scooped iii light and dry soil, defended if possible by the roots of 

 trees. In this subterranean abode a warm nest is constructed, composed 

 of various dried leaves and of moss, laid with singular smoothness. 

 The young Polecats make their appearance toward the 'end of May or 

 the beginning of June. 



The Ferret is well known as the constant companion of the rat- 

 catcher and the rabbit-hunter, being employed for the purpose of fol- 



The Ferret [Mustela Furo). 



lowing its prey into their deepest recesses, and of driving them from 

 their strongholds into the open air, when the pursuit is taken up by its 

 master. The mode in which the Ferret is employed is too well known 

 to need a detailed description. 



It is a fierce little animal, and is too apt to turn upon its owner and 

 wound him severely before he suspects that the creature is actuated by 

 any ill-intentions. I once witnessed a rather curious example of the 

 uncertainty of the Ferret's temper. A lad who possessed a beautiful 

 white Ferret had partially tamed the creature, and thought that it was 

 quite harmless. The Ferret was accustomed to crawl about his person, 

 and would permit itself to be caressed almost as freely as a cat. But 

 on one unfortunate morning, when its owner was vaunting the perform- 

 ances of his protegee — for it was a female — the creature made a quiet 

 but rapid snap at his mouth, and drove its teeth through both his 

 lips, making four cuts as sharply defined as if they had been made 

 with a razor. 



On account of its water-loving propensities, the Mink is called by 

 various names that bear relation to water. By some persons it is 

 called the Smaller Otter, or sometimes the Musk Otter, while it is 

 kn@wn to others under the title of the Water-Polecat. It also goes by 

 the name of the Nurek Vison. 



The Mink is spread over a very large extent of country, being found 



