THE FOX 71 



His usual length is four feet, but he varies in size 

 according to food and locality. In the Highlands 

 of Scotland he is almost like a wolf in size and 

 strength ; and he is not regarded in the same light as 

 in England, for he is shot down without the least 

 compunction there. The proper place to see all wild 

 animals to advantage is in their own home. May I 

 be allowed to say that, in this respect, they are unlike 

 many individuals of the human species ? 



It is just after four o'clock on a soft May morning, 

 and the sun lights up the tops of the trees, bringing 

 the tender foliage out in sparkling relief against the 

 hill-sides. At the foot of the one nearest us Reynard 

 and his vixen partner have their home. Numbers 

 of fine beeches grow here ; the chalky soil is well 

 suited to them. A large one has been blown down 

 at some time, but it has been sawn from the roots 

 long ago. For a long distance the soil was loosened 

 in its fall, and Reynard has taken advantage of this 

 to form an earth for himself and family among the 

 loosened chalk, stones, and old tangled roots. The 

 surface round about is covered with the finest and 

 greenest turf. Many hawthorn bushes are there, 

 giving out their delightful fragrance to perfection, for 

 the morning is warm. On the end of a long beech 

 bough, which reaches far out over the earth, a cuckoo 



