FOXES. 353 



more often overlooked in favour of giving a fair chance of 

 escape to the fox, than in England. 



Another form of encouragement is that of blooding a young 

 sportsman at his first kill. The ceremony is performed by the 

 huntsman, who touches the neophyte on the forehead, chin, 

 and each cheek, with the bleeding end of a pad, and then 

 presents him with the pad or brush, as the case may demand. 

 If he gets the brush, he had better put it into his pocket, than 

 attach it to the browband of his pony, who may kick him off 

 or run away, because horses greatly dislike the smell of 

 blood. In Highland deer forests, a somewhat similar 

 ceremony, which makes one "free of the hill," is observed 

 at the death of one's first stag. 



FOXES. 



The usual period of gestation of vixens, like that of bitches, 

 is nine weeks, and the cubs as a rule are dropped about the 

 middle of March ; although, in exceptional cases, particularly 

 during mild winters, they may be whelped as early as 

 Christmas. There is little difference between the appearance 

 of vixens and dog foxes, except that the former are usually 

 smaller than the latter, and have smaller and sharper heads. 

 Of course it is comparatively easy to tell a heavy vixen. A 

 nursing mother will be thin and out of condition, and is often 

 so poor in coat and brush, that inexperienced people have 

 been known to mistake her unthrifty state for mange. 



Suckling vixens generally go out for food during the night ; 

 but dog foxes as a rule like to lie out above ground in the 

 spring, probably to escape the discomfort of the nursery. 

 Hence, after the beginning of March, it is advisable not to 

 stop earths over night, and only " put them to " (lightly close 

 them) on the hunting morning, so as to ensure as far as 

 practicable, the safety of the vixen when hounds are 

 drawing or running. If this usually sound precaution of 



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