In Scotland. 



50 MAMMALS. 



evicted, making a very poor show against the teeth of 

 the badger. 



An interesting contrast is furnished between the sleek 

 red fox of the hunting counties and the finer grey race 

 of the Highlands. In England, the shooting of a fox is 

 regarded as an act of heresy, and excites obloquy such as 

 falls on the man who in riding country in India shall dare 

 to shoot a wild boar. Sport has its unwritten laws, and 

 they are respected a deal more than some others enacted in 

 less uncertain phrase. In Scotland, however, these sturdy 

 " greyhounds " are shot and trapped without 

 mercy. Attempts have from time to time 

 been made to transplant them to the low countries ; but 

 th-ey show to greater advantage amid their native hills, 

 giving but a poor run on the flat, and showing an irre- 

 pressible tendency to get back to the hills. Attention has 

 also been called quite recently to the large introduction of 

 German foxes into Bedfordshire, and the farmers have 

 been loud in their condemnation. 



The food of the healthy fox is very varied, in fact it is 

 almost omnivorous, readily accommodating itself to circum- 

 stances. Where furred game is available, it 

 undoubtedly prefers it ; but poultry is always 

 acceptable ; and hedgehogs, rats, mice, and even beetles, are 

 often made the best of. On the sea-shore, foxes are known 

 to prowl, especially after a storm, for the crustaceans and 

 molluscs thrown up ; and among other jetsam, ambergris is 

 said to be highly appreciated. Mangy foxes, which feed 

 more on poultry than on rabbits, are most harmful in a 

 district, and are greatly dreaded by huntsmen on account 

 of infection. The mange spreads to the badgers, and even 

 to the rabbits, of the neighbourhood. 



From three to five cubs are born in the latter part of 



April ; but the most interesting question in connection 



with the breeding of this animal is its relations 



iwg- ^\\\^ domestic dogs. That crosses (known as 



" cocktails ") do occur there can be little doubt, but the 



