FOXES. 17 



in this manly sport, have combined to render fox hunting well nigh 

 impossible, and until horseback riding attains in both North and 

 South a more national character, there is but little hope of resus- 

 citating this delightful sport. The fox pursued in the South is the 

 Grey Fox, Urocyon cinereo-argeittaius ; he is in part replaced north 

 of Maryland by our common red fox, Vulpes vulgaris, and in the 

 west by the Swift Fox, Vulpes velox, and other species. With us of 

 the North, foxing is by some followed during the late fall and win- 

 ter, for the skins of the animal, which bring a fair price in market. 

 The hunters stand near the runways while the hounds start the 

 fox. The latter traverses the countiy by regular paths and some 

 one of the hunters, if careful, is generally successful in bagging 

 Reynard. 



Foxes live in holes of their own making, generally in the loamy 

 soil of a side hill, and the she-fox bears four or five cubs at a litter. 

 When a fox-hole is discovered by the farmers they assemble and 

 proceed to dig out the inmates who have lately, very likely, been 

 making havoc among their hen-roosts. An amusing incident which 

 came under our immediate observation a few years ago will bear 

 relating, A farmer discovered the lair of an old dog fox by means 

 of his hound who trailed the animal to his hole. This fox had been 

 making large and nightly inroads into the poultry ranks of the 

 neighborhood, and had acquired great and unenviable notoriety on 

 that account. The farmer and two companions, armed with spades 

 and hoes, and accompanied by the faithful hound, started to " dig 

 out the varmint." The hole was situated on the sandy slope of a 

 hill, and after a laborious and continued digging of four hours, Rey- 

 nard was unearthed and he and " Bep" were soon engaged in deadly 

 strife. The excitement had waxed hot, and dog, men and fox were 

 all struggling in a promiscuous melee. Soon a burly farmer watch- 

 ing his chance strikes wildly with his hoe-handle for Reynard's 

 head, which is scarcely distinguishable in the maze of legs and 

 bodies. The blow descends, but alas ! a sudden movement of the 

 hairy mass brings the fierce stroke upon the faithful dog, who with 

 a wild howl relaxes his grasp and rolls with bruised and bleeding 

 head, faint and powerless on the hillside. 



Reynard takes advantage of the turn affairs have assumed, and 

 before the gun, which had been laid aside on the grass some hours 



