356 



HUNTING PRELIMINARIES. 



quiet until the dead rabbits are taken away. In a short time, 

 the vixen will regard the report of the gun as the sound of 

 her dinner bell, and an observant third person might see her 

 following the gunner at a respectful distance. When the cubs 

 become big, they ought to catch their own prey, or they will 

 be no good for hunting. If it be desired to feed foxes in the 

 season, the best things to give them are dead rats, which can 

 be easily procured, wher^ a neighbouring farmer takes in a 

 stack of grain. Foxes are very fond of them ; in fact, Tom 



Fig. 228. Hedge, 6 ft. high. 



Firr thought that these rodents were their favourite food. 

 It is advisable at first to pour water over the dead rats, as is 

 done with the bait of a trap ; but when the foxes begin to 

 take them with confidence, this precaution against putting 

 them off their meal will not be needed. The coverts can be 

 shot a week or two after hounds have drawn them. The 

 shooting will not cause the foxes much alarm ; because the 

 vixen will probably be underground, and the dog somewhere 

 out of the way, unless the hounds have caught him. In the 

 summer and autumn, foxes kill many hedgerow-abiding rats, 



