^ Bel VOIR Hunt. 123 



frolicing amongst sheep on a summer's eve- 

 ning, jumping on their backs when lying 

 down, and playing all sorts of pranks without 

 exciting the slightest alarm, or even causing 

 the sheep to get on their legs. This was 

 specially the case with some old rams, who 

 appeared to rather relish the tickling — probably 

 being a bit itchy — which the young vulps 

 treated them to in their gambols on and off 

 their broad backs. My experience is that foxes, 

 whilst very fond of rats, have a like partiality 

 for both fur and feather, and if they can gain ac- 

 cess to poultry yards in the breeding season may 

 be very destructive. One of the most effectual 

 ways of protection, when not secured by wire 

 runs, is to hang tin vessels either at the 

 corners of buildings, or any place where the 

 wind can make them jangle together. Foxes 

 don't know what to make of the discordant 

 concert, and generally think it the best policy 

 to sheer off. Flags stuck about the pens are 

 also useful. I have on different occasions, and 

 at certain places, found it pay to feed the cubs ; 

 always after a ratting excursion having the 

 ^' bag " emptied about the vicinity of their 

 earths. Likewise on the demise of a sheep ; 

 it was quartered and a portion allowed them at 



