332 NATURE-STUDY REVIEW [14:8— Nov., 1918 



began to play and scramble about her. How we liked to pounce 

 and tumble upon her great furry back, but she often gave us a 

 cuff with her strong paw which sent us rolling over and over. 

 Then we would rush at each other chewing and snarling until 

 we tired ourselves out. When the sun began to send long shadows 

 from the tall trees we scampered back into our den. We longed 

 to come out and every morning as soon as the sun was warm 

 we followed our sleepy mother out upon the warm knoll. What 

 delicious feasts Father Fox brought us after his long nightly 

 hunts. We played with the young field mice he brought hanging 

 like a fringe from his mouth. One day we had the best dinner of 

 chicken after which Father Fox told us of the queer human beings 

 who lived far down in the valley, how they hated the wild creatures 

 and were always ready to kill them if they could. He told us 

 of the many good things which we might get to eat but how careful 

 we must be or a dinner might cost our life. After the story I 

 felt like a very wise fox and made up my mind that no human 

 being should kill me although I would like to see them. 



One morning I heard a strange noise down in the valley. My 

 mother rose at once in alarm. Quickly she called her children 

 and with a strange feeling of fear we crept far back into the den. 

 We waited long but father never came to bring us the good dinner 

 he had promised. That night our mother did not lie down with 

 us but above our heads under the edge of rock where our father 

 slept we heard the loud sad wail of despair. 



The next day mother was gone for a long time. We grew very 

 hungry and unhappy. At last she came bringing a fringe of field 

 mice. I began to wonder when I could go out into the world 

 and find food for myself. Toward dusk I went with my mother 

 for my first lesson in hunting the small wild creatures of the woods. 

 How soon I learned the faint squeak of the field mouse or traced 

 his path by the wavy line of tall grasses. How proud I felt as I 

 pounced with my strong jaws upon the helpless creature. 



After a few lessons I went out alone, for then I knew no fear. 

 Once I surprised a rabbit dozing on the sunny side of a clump 

 of briars. I sprang after him as he disappeared among the briars 

 and here learned my first hard lesson. The briars were sharp 

 and blinding and kept me from springing ahead. The clever 

 rabbit escaped easily while my poor head and eyes were burning 

 from the prickles of the briars. I soon found that the other wild 



