96 A GAMEKEEPER'S NOTE-BOOK 



Why should cats and ferrets at times lash their tails 



when approaching prey ? The tail -lashing suggests 



suppressed excitement, also a way of gain- 

 When j n g impetus or steadiness for a spring. But 

 Angered we think it should be read chiefly as a sign 



of hostility and ferocity. A ferret enters 

 a burrow, discovers that there is a rat a little 

 distance from him, is angered, grows excited at 

 the prospect of a fight, and lashes his tail. But 

 we have never observed a ferret to lash his tail when 

 approaching a rabbit comparatively a harmless prey. 

 A cat gives the same storm-signal when annoyed, 

 as when her fur is rubbed the wrong way, or when 

 she is about to spring on a mouse or a rat, each 

 capable of retaliation. But she seems to lash her 

 tail chiefly when her prey has come suddenly to her 

 notice without warning ; when she has been lying 

 for a long time in wait for a mouse, her tail hardly 

 twitches, in spite of her excitement ; she is cool and 

 collected, and her spring brings certain death. 



When rat-hunting, and working hard, ferrets and 



dogs grow excessively thirsty. One old keeper friend 



always takes the trouble to carry with him 



Thirst** 8 a sma ^ fl as k f water f or hi s ferrets, offering it 

 to them at intervals in the palm of his hand. 

 For his dogs also he carries water and a tin dish while 

 he seldom goes out ratting without a gallon jar contain- 

 ing what he describes as " a little summat " for himself. 



