THE FERRET.
This little creature is a native of Africa, and is only known to us in a domestic state. It is unable to bear a cold climate, and cannot live without great care and shelter. It is usually kept in a box, with wool, of which it makes itself a warm bed. It sleeps a great part of the day; and the moment it awakes, it seems eager for its food, which is commonly bread and milk. The length of the Ferret is about fourteen inches; the tail is five inches long; its nose is sharper than that of the Weasel, its ears are round, and its eyes red and fiery: the colour of the whole body is a very pale yellow. When employed to clear the rabbit warren, it must be muzzled, that it may not kill the rabbits in their holes, but only oblige them to come out, that the warrener may catch them in his nets. If the Ferret be suffered to go in without a muzzle, or should free himself from it whilst in the hole, there is great danger of losing it: for, after satisfying itself with blood, it falls asleep, and it is then almost impossible to get at it. The most usual method is by digging it out, or smoking the hole. If these do not succeed, it continues during the summer among the rabbit holes, and lives upon the prey it finds there; but is sure to perish in the winter.
THE POLECAT.
THE POLECAT.
The Polecat is not afraid of mankind, but approaches our dwellings with confidence, mounts to their roofs, and often lives in barns, hay-lofts, or other places that are much frequented. From thence he prowls about under the shadow of night, to attack the poultry. He is very active, and runs fast. While running, his belly seems to touch the ground; but in preparing to jump, he arches his back very much, by means of which the force of his spring is greatly increased. The Polecat, during summer, lives in woods, or about rabbit-warrens. Here, if he cannot find a hole ready made that suits him, he forms a retreat for himself, in the ground, about two yards in length, which he contrives, if he can, to end among the roots of some large tree. From thence he often comes forth and destroys game and rabbits. These animals are also very fond of honey; and in winter when the bees are weakened by the coldness of the season, they have been known to attack the hives and to devour their contents very eagerly.