FOX 39 



seen" in his diary. Still, in the course of the last fifteen 

 years, I have observed them on many occasions (and smelt 

 them on many more !) during my natural history rambles in 

 Midlothian and the adjoining counties. Quite recently I had 

 an excellent view of one on the Pentlands as it left the rocks 

 above Swanston and trotted leisurely over the summit of 

 Cairketton hill. When my father tenanted the farm of 

 Tynefield in East Lothian, a litter was reared there every 

 year ; and I well remember the delight with which we used 

 to watch the youngsters as they played at the mouth of the 

 earth. 



In the volumes of the " Old Statistical Account," the Fox 

 is perhaps more frequently mentioned than any other wild 

 animal. The writer of the article on the parish of Bowden 

 (Koxburghshire) tells us (vol, xvi., p. 239) that " much [injury] 

 was formerly sustained from foxes, to which the furze and 

 brushwood on the lower skirts of Eildon, both in this and 

 Melrose parish, afford cover. Of late, however, their number 

 has been diminished by the noblemen and gentlemen of the 

 Caledonian Hunt and others who keep hounds." In the 

 Account of Duddingston (vol. xviii., p. 374), it is recorded 

 that " Foxes from the neighbouring hill or plantations some- 

 times invade the farm-yards." Stark, in his " Picture of 

 Edinburgh " (6th ed., 1834, p. 322), states that it is " occasion- 

 ally seen on the southern declivities of Arthur Seat hills," a 

 locality in which I have good reason to believe it has been 

 observed up to a much more recent date. Mr Harold 

 Eaeburn tells me that his brothers have seen one well within 

 the city boundary, near the Dean, within the last three or 

 four years. 



Such place-names as Todholes near Balerno, Todhills near 

 Dalkeith, etc., perpetuate the old Scotch name for the Fox. 



