THE POLICE OF NATURE. 
209 
destroyed by ferrets themselves are very few, considering 
they do not run wild in this country, whatever tliey may d(v 
in Africa. 
Here I must remind you, that those ferrets that have 
been brought up to rabbiting are seldom of any use for 
ratting. The reason is plain. In rabbit-hunting they are 
in the habit of having everything their own way, and never 
receive a bite for their trouble. But when put to ratting, 
and they get punished, they often bustle out much quicker 
than they went in ; and in many cases will never enter 
another rat-hole as long as they live. I have been let in by 
gamekeepers and their ferrets in this way. Some of them 
you could not get into a hole^ unless you crammed them in ; 
and then it was like cramming a cat into a boot ; as for 
hunting, that was out of the question. Then others, again, 
were cowed the first time they were punished, and were good 
for nothing after. The consequence was, I resolved never 
after to buy either dog or ferret, till I saw them fairly tried ; 
and if you take my advice you will do the same. But I 
must tell you that I never yet saw an old ferret, however 
good, that would face a full-grown rat that had backed into 
a small hole. He will work his head to and fro as if giddy ; 
and the instant the rat turns, he will attack him ; but never 
while the m.t is facing him with open mouth. I have had 
resolute young ferrets attempt it the first time, but never 
the second. 
The polecat seldom or ever sees a barn rat, because his 
hunting-grounds are mostly in rabbit-warrens or game- 
preserves. This is well known to gamekeepers, who find 
him the worst poacher they have to contend with. Besides, 
he is too large to get into the majority of rat-holes. In. 
addition to that, he is naturally wild and solitary in his 
disposition, and gets as far as possible from the abodes of 
man. Nevertheless I have heard of his being found about 
the outhouses, and even on the top of the farmhouse itself. 
But when he does visit the farm, he commits great depreda- 
tions, if not speedily destroyed. I have heard of cases 
where he has destroyed every pigeon in the dovecot in one 
night, and in others, where he has committed sad destruction 
in the hen-house. But mostly his food is game of any 
description he can get at, and among which he is very 
p 
