THE BRITISH RED EOX 



when stalking, but though I have seen it stated 

 that the movement of the brush may catch and 

 hold the attention of the creature being stalked, 

 I do not consider the theory tenable. A fox 

 or a cat when near its prey, certainly moves its 

 tail, but I think the latter is held so low and near 

 the ground, that it is entirely hidden behind the 

 body, and even on comparatively bare ground 

 would be out of sight of the animal's quarry. 

 That the brush of the fox is decidedly useful on 

 occasion, I have had evidence. I have watched 

 a fox descend a steep and slippery snow drift, 

 carrying his brush in a perpendicular position. 

 It was quite apparent that in this case the brush 

 was being used as an aid to balance. On many 

 occasions I have seen a hard pressed fox swing his 

 brush to right or left when making a quick turn 

 on rough ground. It may too, help him to 

 suddenly increase his speed, as I once witnessed 

 a hunted fox spring from a slow canter into a fast 

 gallop, whirling his brush round and round as he 

 accelerated his pace. 



There is a yarn concerning a fox, which, being 

 troubled with fleas, waded into a stream and 

 gradually immersed his body until all his tor- 

 mentors collected on the tip of his brush. Giving 

 the latter a smart shake, Reynard consigned his 

 visitors to a watery grave, and then walked ashore. 

 This story must however be taken cum grano 

 salis. 



I on one occasion had rather startling evidence 

 that a wolf wags its tail like a dog. I was looking 

 at some wolves in an enclosure, one of which 

 walked up to the bars of the cage. It had a 

 benign expression on its face, and wagged its 

 tail exactly like a dog. My brother who was 

 with me at the time, chanced to pull a brightly 



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