148 THE FOX 



brought from Scotland and Wales I am induced to 

 think that some find their way back. It is certain 

 that if we turn down foxes and earmark them, only a 

 very small number are brought to hand, and I think 

 that a few do actually work their way home. In 

 another chapter I have given a few instances of the 

 homing powers of foxes, and it is difficult to say what 

 the limit of those powers may be. 



Of all the countries where the fox is an outlaw, 

 Scotland is the one in which he has most enemies. 

 Farmers, shepherds, and gamekeepers are his per- 

 severing foes ; but yet the struggle is not so uneven as 

 it seems. The fox has a way of rising to the occasion 

 and developing a wonderfully elusive cunning, and far 

 greater boldness under persecution. The very dangers 

 he escapes seem to give him courage, and he may 

 often be seen hunting by day as well as by night. He 

 grows to a large size on a varied diet, which ranges 

 from honey to moles, cats, and venison. He is accused 

 of sheep-stealing, but has the credit of all the mischief 

 done by dogs. Yet no doubt weakly lambs, sheep that 

 are in trouble, the young roedeer, and a wounded stag 

 may fall to his share. I am bound to say that in Wales 

 and Scotland he is believed to attack full-grown sheep, 

 but the principal evidence against him is the wool 

 and bones found in his den, which might equally come 



