56 



that could, for a second, hide them from the view of the dogs ; and I 

 was once beaten by a tired fox, that deliberately, when I thought I 

 was sure of him, ran into a herd of cattle and sheep and turned 

 among and under them until, having completely fatigued and puz- 

 zled the dogs, he was able to run clear away from them ; this was 

 one of the red earth foxes just mentioned. 



To the assistance of a fox, I owe getting a wounded antelope, 

 which I had lost sight of, as I was following it up. Although I 

 felt certain that it could not be far on, I had just given up the pur- 

 suit, as I was travelling and pressed for time, when I was induced 

 to resume it by seeing a little fox that had for some time been strol- 

 ling about a rising ground near me, suddenly and without any 

 apparent cause, change its direction, and trot up to a bush into 

 which it stood peering with some interest. 



In spite of the hardly suppressed jeers of the palankeen bearers, 

 for by that conveyance was I then journeying, I went up to the 

 spot ; and as I expected, turned out and bagged my wounded ante- 

 lope which gave me an easy shot as it tried to hobble away. What, 

 except feminine curiosity, for it was a vixen, made so small a crea- 

 ture, interest itself in the matter, is beyond my knowledge. 



Jerdon's description of the way in which this beautiful little ani- 

 mal carries his bushy brush, is excellent : he says at page 149, that 

 " it is usually carried trailing when the fox is going slowly or hunt- 

 " ing for food, horizontal when running ; and raised almost erect 

 " when making a sudden turn." 



Indian foxes are very easily tamed, and I have often wondered 

 why these very graceful little creatures are not made pets of, 

 oftcncr ; for they are, I think, free from the offensive odour of 'the 

 rest of their kind, and their delicately- tinted grey jackets and bright 

 game appearance must please every one. I cannot imagine that, 

 vide page 150 they are likely to go mad. Confinement to all wild 

 animals must at the period for sexual intercourse, make them more 

 than usually ill-tempered or excited ; (deer of all kinds for example) 

 and probably under these circumstances, foxes may suffer more or 

 look wilder than dogs and be set down as being mad in conse- 

 quence. I know that this was the case with a tame jackal I had. 



