128 THE FOX. 



and the gabbling of geese ; all this is delightful music in his en ,s. 

 He soon contrives an opportunity to pay them a visit, and begins 

 by levelling all without distinction. He then carries off a part 

 of the spoil, hides it at some convenient distance, and returns 

 for another load. Taking off another fowl in the same manner, 

 he hides that also, but seldom in the same place ; and this method 

 he pursues until the approach of day, or the noise of the family, 

 warns him to retire. He puts in practice the same arts when he 

 finds birds entangled in springs laid for them by the fowler, with 

 whom he takes care to be beforehand. He is equally active in 

 seizing young hares and rabbits, and in discovering the nests of 

 the quail, the partridge, and the pheasant. When better food is 

 deficient, he devours rals, mice, and almost every kind of ver- 

 min ; and even the hedge-hog, notwithstanding its prickles, is riot 

 secure against his attacks. No creature, but such as are too 

 strong for him, can escape this universal glutton. His depreda- 

 tions are not limited to the search of animal food; for he at- 

 tacks the wasp and the bee, for the sake of their honey ; and, al- 

 though the whole swarm sometimes flies out and fastens on him, 

 he soon gets rid of the assailants by rolling himself on the ground. 

 He then returns to the charge, and at last carries his point. 

 Foxes are also extremely fond of grapes, and do much damage 

 in vineyards. 



A remarkable instance of the maternal affection of one of 

 these animals, is related by Dr. Goldsmith : A she-fox that had 

 but one cub, was unkennelled by a pack of hounds, and very 

 hotly pursued. The poor animal, braving every danger rather 

 than expose her cub to the fury of the dogs, took it in her mouth, 

 and ran with it, in that manner, for several miles. At length, 

 in passing through a farm-yard, she was assaulted by a mastiff, 

 and compelled to drop her little charge, which was immediately 

 taken up by the farmer, while its affectionate dam eluded the 

 pursuit, and got off in safety. 



Of all wild animals, the fox is one of those which appear the 

 most strongly influenced by difference of climate ; and there are 

 found almost as many varieties in this species, as in that of any 

 domestic animal. Those of England are commonly of a dusky 

 red colour : the fore-part of the legs black, and the tail very long 

 and bushy, and tipt at the end with white. 



The black fox is valuable for his fur, which in Russia is es- 

 teemed superior to that of the finest sable. A single skin is sold 

 for the enormous price of four hundred rubles, or between sev- 

 enty and eighty pounds sterling. 



The cross fox, which derives its name from a black mark 

 which passes across the shoulders, and another along the back to 



