44 FOXHUNTING ON LAKELAND FELLS 



Leamington. I can " spot " a mask done by them, 

 out of any number of others. 



I have heard it said that a fox dislikes traveUing 

 down wind when the latter is strong, because it 

 blows his brush about, but in my own experience 

 I have known foxes travel both up and down wind 

 in a gale, and it did not appear to inconvenience 

 them. As for not facing a strong wind, a fox will 

 make his point on the fells so long as he can keep 

 his feet at all. A fox stands much lower than a 

 man, and the wind has not the same extent of 

 surface to act upon. 



As I have previously mentioned, a fox uses his 

 brush to help him in turning quickly, and as an 

 aid to balance. He also appears to use it when 

 suddenly increasing his pace. Not long ago I saw 

 a fox found by hoimds, and he at once took to the 

 rough ground, with the pack running in view. 

 He soon outdistanced them, and slackened his 

 pace, till the leading hound, which had not been 

 saying much, owing to the steepness of the ground, 

 suddenly shot into view. The fox saw the hound, 

 and quickly altered his speed, while he swung his 

 brush with a circular movement, as if using it 

 like a screw to give him renewed impetus. I have 

 seen a fox keep his brush revolving in a similar 

 manner when very hard pressed by hounds down- 

 hill on steep ground, but under average conditions 

 he carries it straight and stiff behind him. 



