ON ARTIFICIAL FOX-EARTHS 197 



well-known characteristic of the fox family, and 

 several most unlikely places in this neighbourhood 

 are annually " cleaned out " by the vixens. Some of 

 these are not considered safe or desirable by those 

 interested in the preservation of foxes, and tar, 

 petroleum, and many cunning devices of the earth- 

 stopper have been used to make them abandon these 

 haunts for good and all. These efforts may seem 

 successful for a time, but sooner or later Madame 

 Vixen will return to her old quarters for " the 

 interesting event." 



Perhaps it is that with all our care and trouble we 

 have not yet discovered how to make an artificial 

 earth that shall entirely satisfy the most cunning of 

 our wild animals. If we could do so the safety of the 

 cubs would be much insured in a country where wood- 

 lands of any size are scarce, and most of the foxes 

 are found in gorse coverts. 



