THE FERRET. 



THE ferret is a native of Africa, and has been em- 

 ployed in Britain and other countries of Europe, chiefly 

 to reduce the number of rabbits, and to destroy rats. Its 

 fur is of a yellowish hue, and its eyes are red. During 

 the day it generally sleeps, and it feeds at night. 



To the rabbit it has an instinctive antipathy. It is 

 said, if a dead one be shown to a young ferret which has 

 never before seen the animal, it seizes it ; and if a live 

 one be set before it, it displays still greater eagerness, 

 laying hold of its neck, and continuing to suck the blood 

 of its prey till completely satiated. When put into a 

 burrow, it is usual to tie a bell round the neck of the 

 ferret, to prevent its being lost, and to know where he 

 is. Small nets are also placed over all the holes which 

 are supposed to communicate with the one he has en- 

 tered. If half-grown rabbits are to be taken from holes 

 known to have few angles, and not to go far below the 

 surface, the ferret is sometimes left unmuzzled, with a 



