T H E D O G K I N D. 5^ 



times together. When he nnds birds entangled in fpringes, the fox is 

 beforehand, very expertly takes the bird oi^c of the fnarc, hides it three 

 or four days, and knows exactly when and \vh4re to return to his hidden 

 treafure. He is equally alert in feizing young hares and rabbits, and if 

 old ones are wounded or fatigued, he is fure to profit by their nnonnents 

 of diftrefs. He finds out birds neds, feizes the partridge and the quail 

 firting, and deftroys a large quantity of game. In Ihort, nothing 

 comes amifs j rats, mice, fcrpents, toads, and lizards. When urged 

 by hunger, he will eat vegetables and infe<5bs. Thofc near the fea- 

 coafts eat crabs, fhrimps, and fheil-fifh. The hedge-hog vainly rolls 

 itfelf into a ball ; this determined glutton teizes it till it unrolls, and 

 then devours it. He attacks the wafp and the wild bee with equal 

 fuccefs i at firft they oblige their invader to retire, but in a few minutes 

 he has rolled himfelf on the ground, and crufhcd fuch as flick to his 

 ikin, he then returns to the charge, and by perfeverance, obliges them 

 to abandon their combs, which he greedily devours, both wax and 

 honey. 



His fcent is ilrong, but foon evaporated. His Ihifts to efcape, when 

 retreat is cut ofF to his kennel, are various and furprifing. He choofes 

 the mod woody country, and takes the paths moft cmbarralTcd with 

 thorns and briars ; flies in a dire«5l line before the hounds, though at no 

 very great difi'ance; manages his ftrength; takes to the low and plafliy 

 grounds, where the fcent will leaft lie ; nnd, when overtaken, defends 

 himfelf with a defperate obftinacy, and fights in filence to the very laft. 



The fox's litter is generally from four to fix. The female goes with 

 young about fix weeks, feldom ftirs out while pregnant, but makes a 

 bed for her young, and ufes every preparation. If her retreat is dif- 

 covered, and her young diilurbed during her abfence, fhe removes them 

 one after the other in her mouth. The cubs are born blind, are 

 eighteen months o.r two years in coming to perfcvftion, and live about 

 twelve or fourteen years. 



The fox makes and fuffcrs general war. The dog hunts him with 

 peculiar acrimony j the wolf purfu^rs him to his very retreat; the birds 

 attend his excurfions, and give warning of their approaching danger. 

 The daw, the magpye, and the black-bird, perching on the hedges as 

 he creeps belov/, with their cries apprize other animals 3 a caution which 

 they perfedly underftand and praclifc. 



The generality of the (q-hqs are red i but there are fome, though not 

 in England, greyifli. 



The 



