Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1866-03-10

"neu IL Houiu stretcn Itself beside lfs
dead enemy and become stupe6ed anc
perfectly oblivious, in unconcious sleep
When this happens, smoking the hole
is usually resorted to, but this desperate
effort fails as often as it is successful
The rabbit has a perfect terror of the
ferret, and it fees from instinct. Then
BY muzzling the ferocious little animal
and allowing it to enter the burrow, the
rabbit is driven from its secure hiding
place, unharmed, and falls an easy vic.
tim to the unerring aim of the hunter.
In England, ferrets are trained for thi.
sport, and the hunter finds them valua
BILE assistants. They are also trained
by mischievous little urchins to >hunt
for birds nests in the holes of walls OF
trees.
The ferret is likewise trained for
hunting rats, and they seem to take de-
light in the sport. However, when EN-.
ployed for this purpose, you must watch
them closely to prevent them from stu.
pefying themselves in the warm blood
OF their victims. They will spring upon
a rat with great fury, and with one
quick jerk lay it dead at their feet
Although the ferret is easily tanned, he
always shows an irrascible disposition.
His strength and quickness of motion
make him deadly foe to the smaller
animals. His lively and infamed eyes
give to him ferocious appearance
When hot and irritated, he emits an un-
pleasant smell. Ferrets are not common
in this country. In the Northern States
the climate is too severe for spontane-
GUS breeding, and Americans have new.
er taken much interest in the animal
hence, it is but seldom that they go to
the trouble Of importing and domesti-
eating it. Several years ago, Mr.. r.
A. Alexander imported number of
ferrets to this country, and they receiv-
every possible care on Woodburn Farm,
but it appears that even the mild eli
mate Of Kentucky, did not agree with
them, for in spite of the attention be-
slowed upon them, they grew less in
numbers every year, and if we mistake
not, the breed is now extinct.
About the year 1849, Mr.. Alfred
Conever turned number of ferrets
loose on Long Island, and burrowing
deeply to escape the rigors of winter,
they bred for several years, but not so
freely as they would have done in a
warmer climate. Each female produc
ing two litters each year, will average
at least six per delivery, thus making
twelve per yesr, the number of months
in the Calendar. By this calculation,
we observe that single pair would null
tiply rapidly, and the ratio become
greater each year. If the climate of
this section of the country was not too
severe for the spontaneous breeding of
ferrets, Long Island, after the lapse of
more than quarter of cantury, would
now abound with these little animals
While they prey upon others, they are
not subject to wholesale destruction by
their enemies. We find but very few
of them upon the island now, where,
had the climate been more temperate,
they would be numbered by thousands.
In hunting rats with them, it is usual
to train them with dogs. The ferrets
are muzzled to drive the rats from their
holes, when then dogs make terrible
slaughter upon the frightened animals
with long tails and gray coats. In this
way hundreds are destroyed in a sim
gle day.