166 THE ART OF TRAIXIXG ANIMALS. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



EATS — MICE — FROGS — TOADS — FLEAS^ ETC. 



EATS generally are not favorites. There seems to be 

 born in the human race a natural antipathy to these ani- 

 mals, and the preference with most persons would be rather 

 to exterminate them than to attempt to tame them. Still rats 

 7nay be tamed, though it must be confessed they are rather 

 unattractive subjects, their odor being disgusting and their 

 bite poisonous, probably from particles of putrid flesh adhering 

 to their teeth — in many recorded cases fatally so. 



Probably most readers have heard the story of the French- 

 man, we forget his name, who was doomed to expiate some 

 political offense in a dungeon cell ; and how, to relieve the 

 dreary loneliness and torturing monotony of his solitary exis- 

 tence, he strove to win the confidence of a rat which stole 

 timidly forth from some crevice to pick up the crumbs dropped 

 by the prisoner from his frugal meals. By slow degrees he 

 labored to achieve his purpose, dropping a few crumbs on the 

 floor and waiting motionless till the animal had come from his 

 retreat and taken them j then, as the rat's timidity gave way 

 under the influence of this kindness, the man enticed him to sat 

 from his hand, to climb up his leg into his lap, and by-and-by 

 to permit himself to be handled, until at last the rat would 

 nestle in the man's bosom, come at his call, and in many ways 

 display his affections for his master. 



Mice are less ferocious than rats, more easily managed, and 

 also make better performers, if it is desired to teach them tricks. 

 The process of training is the same with both. In securing 

 your captive, a trap which does it no injury should be used. To 

 say nothing of the cruelty, an animal that is partially disabled 

 or suffering pain, is not in a condition to learn well. The best 

 traps are those in which wires are so arranged as to permit an 

 easy entrance while they present an array of sharp points to 

 prevent an exit. 



The first thing after the capture is to tie a piece of fine but 

 strong twine to the captive's tail. This may be done without 

 removing from the trap, or a wire or tin cage 5 he should be 

 kept until so far tamed that he will not attempt to gnaw the 

 string and escape when taken from his prison. During this 

 time he should be well treated, supplied with food and water, 

 and in no way irritated or alarmed. At the end of a day or so 

 he may be allowed to come out upon a table, while the string 



