know the nasty poisonous stuff that the dog gets on its stomach from the
dirty brook and river sides.

Let me add that all I have written about ferrets and dogs are not given
merely from hearsay, but are the facts derived from study and experience
during 25 years of dog and ferret-keeping.




PART III. THE HABITS OF RATS.


Rats breed very quickly. This I have often proved by visiting a given
haunt for many years together. I remember an instance in point one June,
when out with dog and ferrets. The dog made a set under the root of a
tree. I put the ferret in and it bolted eight young Rats, nearly half
grown, still suckling the bitch Rat. When the old Rat bolted my dog
killed it, and whilst the dog was shaking it I found she was very heavy
in young again. This, therefore, will prove how quickly Rats breed.

Another result of my observation may be of interest to my readers. After
removing a lot of old rubbish when ratting I came upon a nest of just-
born Rats, and, in curiosity, I cut the tails off the lot, and then put
the young Rodents back, leaving the nest undisturbed. When I returned
next day, I found the old Rat had carried all her young away, and, later,
I found the same tailless lot in another part of the building, and, after
disturbing them again, I found the following day that the bitch Rat had
killed every one by eating off their heads. This destruction of the
offspring I have witnessed on more than one occasion. The old bitch Rat