Just a few words to encourage folks to keep those ferrets close while outside. A friend of mine often takes her cockatiel, Dearie, outside to enjoy the sun. Last week she walked into her solarium just in time to see a raptor diving on Dearie, who was luckily inside and protected by the glass. Unfortunately the peregrine falcon did not survive the impact. Dearie will now have to spend his time enjoying the great outdoors through glass. I don't know if a peregrine would go after a ferret, but lots of raptors can be found in urban settings where one might feel safe from aerial attack. Years ago a barn owl came after my ferret Jesse while we were on a midnight stroll. Luckily I saw it coming; I wouldn't have been able to protect the ferret had the owl approached us from behind. We all know that owls are silent in flight, but not hearing is believing. Cheers, Lynn Burroughs Magill (the ferret-sitter's worst nightmare) Guinness (champion slayer of beepers) [Posted in FML issue 1228]