134 THE FEEKET, 



o'clock. Always handle a ferret gently, and place 

 your hands under its arms. Be very careful never to 

 snap at it when taking it out of a rabbit hole, or to a 

 certainty your fingers will suffer, 



"When shooting, a ferret should not be 'coped/ 

 unless it is a very fast hunter, or a sure killer. A 

 small bell, tied round the neck, will be found useful, 

 and in a large burrow very advantageous. If a ferret 

 is a killer, it is a good plan to blunt the long teeth, 

 which will enable the rabbit to free himself from his 

 antagonist. Never turn a ferret, if shy, too often, 

 into the same earth, for, if tired, he is apt to lie up. 

 A predisposition to do so is sometimes indicated 

 (after a ferret is blooded), by its running continually 

 to the mouths of the holes, by a playfulness, and by 

 scratching. When this is the case, remove him 

 immediately. 



" A box, about four feet long, is the best habitation 

 for ferrets, having an open front, made of iron. 

 Great care should be taken to keep them quite clean, 

 and to give them plenty of air, as they are, when 

 young particularly, subject to many complaints. 



" In some of the southern counties, but more espe- 

 cially in Essex, rabbits, whether from the nature of 

 the soil, as some persons suppose it is matter of 

 great doubt remain obstinately sulky for three- 

 fourths of the year, and cannot be induced to move, 

 even with a coped ferret ; and will rather have their 

 skins stripped from their backs than bolt, although 

 the greatest caution be used not to shake the earth 



