]30 THE COMMON FOX. 



greatest bravery. His bite is dangerous; and the 

 severest blows will not compel him to quit the hold 

 he has once taken. He fights in silence till torn in 

 pieces. 



When Foxes range at liberty, in their native 

 covers, they are remarkably playful animals. They 

 may often be seen to amuse themselves with their 

 fine bushy tails, by running, sometimes for a 

 considerable while together, in circles, to catch 

 them. 



In a wild state these animals are subject to a dis- 

 order similar to that of the mange in Dogs. Mr. 

 Daniel recollects a brace of old Foxes being killed 

 in one season, that had scarcely any fur left upon 

 them. They were so weakened by the disorder, as 

 to be caught almost immediately after they were 

 started by the Hounds*. As Mr. Beckford was 

 going out one morning to course, he saw a Fox 

 sunning himself under a hedge. Observing that 

 he was not able to run, he drove him into a corner, 

 got off his horse, and took him up ; but he died not 

 long afterwards. The animal had not a single hair 

 on his brush, and very few hairs on any part of 

 his body f. 



The female Foxes usually produce their young 

 ones about the end of March. These, which are 

 generally from three to six in number, are at first 



* Daniel's Rural Sports. f Beckford on Hunting, p. 329- 



blind, 



