72 RECORDS OF THE CHASE 



a great measure to the custom of finally closing the 

 earths when hunting commences. When the earths 

 are closed at the commencement of the season the 

 danger of stopping foxes under ground is entirely 

 obviated, and I have no doubt it is not an unfrequent 

 occurrence. If the weather be rough and unfavourable 

 foxes will not always, unless pressed by hunger, leave 

 their earths at all; and if they do, are very apt to 

 return as expeditiously as possible after having pro- 

 cured their food. 



With regard to breaking up the earths entirely, the 

 plan appears to possess many recommendations; it 

 would save a vast deal of trouble in earth-stopping: 

 and as the propensities of foxes, like those of other 

 animals, are controlled by habit, those which are bred 

 above ground would not run to earth when pressed by 

 hounds so frequently as those which have been accus- 

 tomed to seek repose and safety in such asylums. A 

 fox bred in an earth resorts to such places when dis- 

 turbed ; he has found repose there and seeks it in the 

 moment of danger ; it becomes his habit. After his 

 nocturnal rambles in search of food he returns to his 

 natural dormitory, though it may not be the identical 

 place in which he was born. Foxes that are accustomed 

 to this ' life below stairs ' instinctively fly to those 

 asylums) when chased by hounds ; they find a barrier 

 opposed to their entrance, but if the scent be not good 

 and the underwood is thick, they will often hang in 

 covert, in a great measure attracted by the earths, 

 which they scarcely fail to visit every time they pass 

 by them. At length becoming weary, they enter some 

 rabbit hole, or drain, sufficiently spacious to receive 

 them. The objections which I have heard against this 

 plan are that it would cause the foxes to leave the 

 coverts where it was practised, and take themselves off 

 to those of a neighbouring hunt. In the first pla^e, I 

 do not think it would have that effect to any extent, 

 and that objection would be obviated if the adjoining 

 hunt would adopt a similar course. 



