The Fauna. 57 



so long as fox-hunting is regarded as a popular pas- 

 time, there is little fear of this animal becoming 

 extinct. Fifty years ago Craigmillar was a favourite 

 "meet" of the Duke of Buccleuch's hounds. The 

 following account of a " run " was described to us by 

 Sir John Don Wauchope, who was present. The 

 hounds were advertised to meet at Craigmillar, and 

 a fine morning brought out a large "field." Riding 

 southwards, the hounds were thrown into the meadow 

 between the Little France brooks, which at that time 

 was an osier-bed, and a sure find for a fox. Reynard 

 broke to the north, followed by a large number of the 

 pack, and ran up the field in full view of every one 

 present. Entering the wood east of the castle, which 

 at that time contained a strong growth of whin and 

 broom, constituting excellent cover, the fox lodged 

 for a considerable time. The remainder of the pack 

 getting up, the wood was made too hot for Reynard, 

 and again he broke, running north by Duddingston, 

 the hounds following in full cry. After skirting the 

 shore of the loch, the fox ascended the eastern slope 



of Arthur's Seat, and ran to ground in a hole near the 



D 2 



