5S ae 
ON FASCINATION. ". oes 
lowed by a cackle among the poultry; and, looking through the 
hole in the wall, saw Reynard sitting with his head directed up 
to the fowls. My companion was very eager to shoot, but I 
advised him to wait until the Fox began to move off; when a hen 
fell suddenly down from the perch, and was instantly seized by 
her adversary. Before he could get away, the contents of the 
gun had finished his career. This incident leads me to believe 
that Foxes are, in this way, more destructive than poachers in 
pheasant-preserves. 
Another case, somewhat allied to the foregoing, although per- 
haps exhibiting reason rather than fascination, I had an oppor- 
tunity of observing, some three years ago, as I was walking by 
the side of a large wood and noted fox-cover. Looking through 
the hedge into a wide grassy ride I saw ata little distance a 
Rabbit feeding, when a Fox crept quietly out of the wood, and, 
perceiving the Rabbit, threw himself down on his back, with his 
legs in the air, and lay perfectly motionless. The Rabbit in turn- 
ing round saw this strange object, and ran into the wood; but soon 
came out again, and sat up to take a better survey. Apparently 
satisfied with its observations, it came a little nearer and com- 
menced to eat, but was again startled by a slight noise caused by 
the Fox having struck the ground with his tail. This seemed to 
excite the Rabbit’s curiosity still further; it approached until 
within ten yards of Reynard, when the seemingly inanimate 
object suddenly came to life, and seizing the unfortunate 
Rabbit, which appeared too frightened to move, scampered off 
with his prey. 
- I have also reason to believe that the power of fascination is by 
no means confined to Snakes and Foxes, and the following cir- 
cumstance tends to support this opinion. About five years ago, 
while driving along Chapel Lane, near West Wycombe, I heard 
a peculiar cry, and on arriving opposite the lane which leads to 
Copy Farm, I saw in the middle of the path a Water Wagtail 
(Motacilla Yarreilii), its wings drooping by its sides, uttering 
piercing shrieks, and apparently in an agony of fear. At the 
same time I became conscious of another sound, something be- 
tween a grunt anda hum. Qn nearing the bird, which seemed 
