iS OUTDOOR LIFE IN ENGLAND 



on a farm close to the village in which I reside. 

 Alas ! some evil-minded vulpecide contrived to 

 poison the whole of one litter of five. A hare 

 loaded with strychnine was discovered in the 

 earth. I regret to say that the culprit has never 

 been detected. It was a sad sight which the 

 poor little stiffened corpses presented. Popular 

 suspicion attached itself to the keeper of a neigh- 

 bouring shooting. The man bears an evil reputa- 

 tion, but I am inclined to think that it was rather 

 the work of one of his numerous enemies, as 

 there was no apparent object which he could have 

 for the perpetration of such a dastardly act ; and, 

 moreover, I am well aware that, whatever his 

 faults may be, he is careful to preserve foxes for 

 his master. The earth was in dangerous proximity 

 to the farmstead, in which a large number of 

 fowls are reared. 



When taken in hand young enough, foxes are 

 very easily tamed, and are most amusing pets, 

 though after a time they are not always to be 

 trusted. One which belonged to some members 

 of my family was exceptionally tame, and used to 

 play fearlessly with the dogs, to one of which it 

 was occasionally coupled. The hounds (foxhounds) 

 were kennelled in another part of the yard, and 

 it was amusing to see him put his head out of 

 his kennel and bark at them as they passed by. 

 Poor little animal ! he, like all such pets, came 

 to a sad end by eating a poisoned rat which was 

 accidentally given to him. My earliest recollec- 



