CUBS 



be broken up. I have no doubt that disinfection 

 of the earths might be possible, but I have yet to 

 hear of any method that is known to be rehable 

 m the case of mange. 



The more artificial the existence of the fox is 

 made, the greater Ukehhood of disease breaking 

 out. The fox is by nature a wild animal, and fox- 

 hunting, properly conducted, is one of our few 

 remaining wild sports. Why therefore, attempt 

 to spoil it by providing artificial earths and 

 importing foxes, when the natural stock, if left 

 alone, will amply serve its purpose ? 



The w^hole question of healthy foxes in a hunting 

 country depends on the mutual good will of the 

 shooting and hunting people in that country. 

 Unless some arrangement agreeable to both 

 parties is arrived at, the stock of foxes will not 

 thrive as it should, for it will not he left alone. 

 I know no prettier or more amusing sight in 

 Nature, than wild fox cubs at play. Even in 

 captivity their antics are most interesting. I 

 have watched cubs at hide and seek in a large 

 enclosure, darting in and out of a packing case, 

 over the open end of which a sack was hung. 

 Their movements were quick as lightning, and 

 remarkably smooth and graceful. Play often 

 ended in a fight however, and then there was an 

 uproar of hissing and growling, while sharp 

 white teeth seized the throat of an opponent, or 

 gripped him across the loins. 



Cubs which have been taken up, if intended 

 for hunting, should not be kept a moment longer 

 in captivity than is absolutely necessary. They 

 should be provided with as large an enclosure as 

 possible ; and beyond feeding them, and keeping 

 the place clean, they should be left entirely to 



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