Part 4

The Sow is, generally speaking, a harmless and inoffensive creature. Its food consists of a variety of things that would otherwise be wasted; the refuse of the field, the garden, the barn, or the kitchen, afford them a very good meal. These animals select with great sagacity and niceness the plants they prefer, and are never poisoned like some others by mistaking one plant for another. Selfish, obstinate, and greedy as many think them, no animal, it is said, has greater feeling for those of its own kind. They have been known to gather round a dog that teased them, and kill him on the spot. If a male and female are put in a sty together when young, the female will not eat her food for some time if her companion is removed from her.

Many things shew that they are not quite so stupid as some are inclined to believe. We have had exhibitions of their ingenuity, which have attracted great attention and astonishment. And it is stated as a remarkable fact, that a gamekeeper actually broke in a New Forest Sow to find game nearly as well as a pointer.

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THE TAME CAT.

The Tame Cat may be found in almost all countries, and it differs but little from the wild cat except in the brightness of its colours. It is very useful in our houses in catching the rats and mice.

THE TAME CAT. ]

Of all animals when young, there is none more prettily playful and amusing than the Kitten, and little children are mostly very fond of them; but it generally changes its disposition as it grows older. From being naturally ravenous, it learns in time to disguise its appetite, and to seize the favourable moment for plunder. Sly and artful, it has learned to conceal its intentions till it can put them in force: and whenever the opportunity occurs, it directly seizes upon whatever it finds, flies off with it, and remains at a distance till it thinks its offence is forgotten. Instances of the fidelity of Cats, however, are not so rare as some would have us imagine. A French traveller had an Angora Cat, a native of Egypt, which kept by his side in his solitary moments; she often interrupted him in his meditations by affectionate caresses, and in his absence sought and called for him with great inquietude.

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THE WILD CAT.

THE WILD CAT. ]

The hair of the Wild Cat is soft and fine, and of a pale yellow colour, mixed with grey; a dusky-coloured line runs along the back, from its head to its tail; the tail is thick, and marked with bars of black and white. It is larger and stronger than the tame Cat, and its fur much longer. It inhabits the most hilly and woody parts of this island, lives in trees, and hunts for birds and small animals, such as rabbits, hares, rats, mice, moles, &c.; and it is also very destructive among poultry. The Cat seems to possess something like an additional sense, by means of its whiskers. These whiskers consist not only of long hairs on the upper lips, but also of four or five others standing up from each eyebrow, and also two or three on each cheek; all of which, when the animal erects them, make, with their extremities, so many points in the compass of a circle as to be at least equal in extent to their own bodies. With this assistance, it is supposed it can at once discover whether any hole or space is large enough to admit the body, which to those living in a wild state is of the greatest consequence; and to the domestic Cat of great service.

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THE WEASEL.

The length of this animal does not exceed seven inches: its height is two inches and a half. The most usual colour of the Weasel is a pale reddish brown on the back, sides, and legs; the throat and belly are white. This animal is very common, and well known in this country; it is destructive to young birds, poultry, and rabbits, and is a keen devourer of eggs. It will follow a young hare, which becomes so terrified as to give itself up to it without resistance, making at the same time the most piteous outcries.

THE WEASEL. ]

The Weasel is very useful to the farmer. During the winter it frequents his barns and granaries, which it clears of rats and mice; it is a more deadly enemy to them than even the Cat; for being more active and slender it pursues them into their holes, and kills them quickly. Though the Weasel is a wild little animal, there are instances to prove, that it is capable of being made quite tame. They have been taught to lick the hand from which they receive their food, and even to follow their master.

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THE MARTIN.

THE MARTIN. ]

The Martin lives chiefly in the pine-tree forests of North America. The principal difference between the Pine-Weasel and the Martin is in the colour. The breast of the former is yellow; the colour of the body much darker; and the fur in general, greatly superior in fineness, beauty, and value. The Martin is about eighteen inches long; the tail is ten inches long, and full of hair, especially towards the end, which is thick and bushy; the ears are broad, round and open; the body is covered with a thick fur, of a dark brown colour: the head is brown, mixed with red; the throat and breast are white; the feet are broad, and covered on the under side with a thick fur; the claws are white, large, and sharp, well adapted for climbing trees, where it mostly lives. The skin has a very nice scent; its fur is valuable, and highly prized. When taken young, it is easily tamed, and becomes very playful and good-humoured, but is not to be depended upon. It readily takes advantage of the first opportunity to regain its liberty, and retire to the woods. The food of the Martin consists of rats, mice, poultry, game, birds, and grain, and it is also extremely fond of honey.

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THE FERRET.

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.

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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.