86 THE FOX. 



been on a rougher surface. May be, also, the rogue 

 had considered the chances of another sleigh coming 

 along, before the hound, and obliterating the trail 

 entirely. 



Audubon relates of a certain fox, which, when 

 started by the hounds, always managed to elude them 

 at a certain point. Finally the hunter concealed 

 himself in the locality, to discover, if possible, the 

 trick. Presently along came the fox, and making a 

 leap to one side, ran up the trunk of a fallen tree 

 which had lodged some feet from the ground, and 

 concealed himself in the top. In a few minutes the 

 hounds came up, and in their eagerness passed some 

 distance beyond the point, and then went still farther, 

 looking for the lost trail. Then the fox hastened 

 down, and, taking his back-track, fooled the dogs 

 completely. 



I was told of a silver-gray fox in northern Xew 

 York, which, when pursued by the hounds, would run 

 till it had hunted up another fox, or the fresh trail of 

 one, when it would so manoeuvre that the hound 

 would invariably be switched off on the second track. 



In cold, dry weather the fox will sometimes elude 

 the hound, at least delay him much, by taking to a 

 bare, plowed field. The hard dry earth seems not to 

 retain a particle of the scent, and the hound gives a 

 loud, long, peculiar bark, to signify he has trouble. 

 It is now his turn to show his wit, which he often 

 does by passing completely around the field, and re- 

 suming the trail again where it crosses the fence or a 

 strip of snow. 



