TUB WEASEL TRIBE. 



81 



is about fourteen inches, and the tail about five. In its wild state 

 it is an inhabitant of Africa When a ferret is introduced into 

 the burrows of rabbits, or the haunts of rats, it is most safe to 

 muzzle him; for in this case, he is prevented from killing them in 



'^n^. 

 '^,^-^ 



Ferret. 



their holes, and only obliges them to come out and be caught. If 

 the ferret is put in without a muzzle, he is in danger of being im- 

 pelled by his natural propensity and instinct to suck the blood of 

 the rabbit or rat, when he generally falls asleep, and may thus be 

 lost. Ferrets are also used for catching birds in the holes of walls 

 and old trees. It is easily tamed, but very irascible. It has an 

 offensive odor, which has given rise to the supposition that it is 

 only a domesticated Polecat, and when irritated is much more 

 offensive. 



The Ermine or Stoat. — The weasel with a black tail is 

 called the Ermine when it is white, and the Stoat when it is red 

 or yellowish. Though it is a less common animal than the weasel, 

 yet there are numbers to be found in the old northern forests, and 

 sometimes during the winter in the neighborhood of woody grounds. 



