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species and his excursions in a southwardly direction, un- 

 til in time his adopted home and hunting grounds, will be 

 limited only by the vast territories of the Federal Union. 



Theoretical or book naturalists, sometimes greatly err 

 in matters of fact, especially relative to the habits and 

 conduct of animals. It may arise however from too freely 

 generalizing, without respect to difference of climate, 

 which we well know, varies the manners essentially of 

 our species. 



The learned BufFon and Goldsmith, in describing the 

 habits of the fox when pursued, do not accord with the 

 hunter's experience in this country. 



They allude we presume to the red species peculiar to 

 European climates, and the latter advances the assertion, 

 that " He does not double^ nor use the unavailing shifts 

 of the hare.''^ With us in the States, all fox hunters are 

 convinced by the unerring proof of oft retraced steps, 

 that when warmly chased, both kinds will frequently 

 double, and puzzle their pursuers, and thus ingeniously 

 gain the great desideratum of time and distance. It is 

 true, the speed and bottom of the red, greatly outstrip- 

 ping the grey, this stratagem is generally unnecessary, 

 and might afford him less chance of escape. Straight on- 

 ward his hopes lay, and it not unfrequently happens, the 

 pack are diverted to the fresh scented track of another 

 brother reynard, in their distant stern chase of the first, 

 suddenly roused from his snug covert by the hue and cry, 

 and obliged to seek safety in flight. Wo betide the poor 



