Vixen 133 



ures and to make up for their own by defter 

 play where they are strong-. 



From their parents they learned the chief 

 axioms of the fox world. How, is not easy to 

 say. But that they learned this in company 

 with their parents was clear. Here are some 

 that foxes taught me, without saying a word : — 



Never sleep on your straight track. 



Your nose is before your eyes, then trust it 

 first. 



A fool runs down the wind. 



Running rills cure many ills. 



Never take the open if you can keep the 

 cover. 



Never leave a straight trail if a crooked one 

 will do. 



If it's strange, it's hostile. 



Dust and water burn the scent. 



Never hunt mice in a rabbit- woods, or rab- 

 bits in a henyard. 



Keep off the grass. 



Inklings of the meanings of these were al- 

 ready entering the little ones* minds — thus, 

 " Never follow what you can't smell,' was wise, 

 they could see, because if you can't smell it, 

 then the wind is so that it must smell you. 



One by one they learned the birds and beasts 

 of their home woods, and then as they were 



