THE FERRET. 199 



line round him, and as soon as he is thought to have 

 seized the rabbit, he is drawn gently back with his prey 

 in his mouth. 



So intent are ferrets on their prey, that they have 

 been known to disengage themselves from their muz- 

 zles, to remain in the holes, and only to be got out 

 by digging for them, or smoking them. Both these 

 methods have even been resorted to without effect, and 

 the animal has kept its retreat good for the summer, 

 and lived by preying on the rabbits ; but when the 

 winter sets in, these creatures either perish from cold, 

 or leave the hole, and are then easily retaken. 



Farmers, and other persons, frequently keep ferrets, 

 for the purpose of killing rats, which they pursue with 

 great activity and eagerness. Few of these creatures 

 can escape such foes. It is said, indeed, that a ferret, 

 even when young, will so tenaciously hold a rat he has 

 seized, as to suffer himself to be dragged a considerable 

 distance before he can kill his prey ; but this is gene- 

 rally done at last. 



Although easily tamed, the ferret seldom shows any 

 attachment, and is very easily irritated. One instance 

 may be mentioned of its singular ferocity, when tempted 

 by opportunity, or excited by the smell or taste of blood. 

 A bargeman of the name of Isles, finding himself much 



