CHAPTER XXVI. FERRETS. 



MANAGEMENT BREEDING WORKING DISEASES. 



THE tending of ferrets, their training and working, are 

 usually considered the duty of the gamekeeper. Circum- 

 stances and inclination may, however, induce one to take 

 up their management ; and, indeed, they are by no means 

 unworthy the attention of the amateur preserver. 



The ferret, it may be remarked, is incapable of existing in 

 a wild state in this country. Although it has acclimatised 

 itself in several of the more southern of European countries, 

 its original habitat is held to be Africa. Consequently, the 

 conditions under which we are able to rear it are essentially 

 artificial. Anyone who is acquainted with the habits of the 

 Mustelidae of which family the ferret is a prominent 

 member is aware how nice these animals are in the arrange- 

 ment of their dwellings and the care of their bodies. The 

 first fact, then, which suggests itself to the ferret keeper 

 is that cleanliness and a reasonable amount of warmth are 

 two of the conditions most favourable to healthiness of his 

 stock. Ferrets are kept in various numbers, according 

 to special requirements ; thus, in rabbit warrens sometimes 



