PREFACE ix 



known about the natural history of the fox, his 

 intelligence, and his place as a beast of chase. 

 The standard natural history books always say 

 that the ' habits of the fox are too well known to 

 need description.' ' The Life of a Fox,' though 

 full of interest and keen observation, deals chiefly 

 with the creature from the point of view of the 

 huntsman. Thus I am not without hope that 

 both naturalists and sportsmen may find these 

 pages worth reading. 



The latter class cannot but find more interest 

 in their sport when they have some idea of the 

 habits and intelligence of the very remarkable 

 little animal they are hunting. My own ex- 

 perience is that natural history and sport are 

 allies, and that the naturalist and sportsman add 

 to their pleasure by some knowledge of each 

 other's pursuits. Besides the above sources of 

 information I must acknowledge the sympathy 

 and assistance I have received during the pro- 

 gress of this book from Miss Alys Serrell, of 

 Haddon Lodge, Dorset. In her knowledge of 

 hunting and in the keenness and accuracy of 

 her observation she is equalled by few writers 

 on sport. 



It is perhaps needless to say that to write 



