FOX. 103 



Habits. — The habits and history of the Fox, or rather the 

 British variety of the same, are so well-known as to require 

 but brief notice ; and we shall accordingly content ourselves 

 with extracting Macgillivray's admirable summary from the 

 original edition of the " Naturalist's Library." The Fox, he 

 writes, "'resides in burrows, which it excavates for itself in 

 sandy or gravelly soil, in woods or thickets, or on shady 

 banks or the slopes of hills, remaining concealed all day, and 

 coming abroad towards evening. Its food consists chiefly of 

 the flesh of Mammals, birds, and reptiles. In the wilder 

 parts it often destroys lambs, and in the more populous 

 frequently commits great havoc among poultry; but its 

 favourite game are Partridges, Grouse, Rabbits, and Leverets. 

 Insects and worms have also been found in its stomach, and 

 in the maritime districts it has been known to frequent the 

 shores in quest of crustaceous and molluscous animals." 



" It is said to live in pairs, and the young, from three to 

 five in number, are born towards the end of spring. The 

 female exhibits great courage and address in defending them. 

 The sagacity of the Fox is proverbial, and frequently enables 

 it to escape the snares laid for it. Marvellous stories are 

 related respecting the stratagems which it employs to elude 

 pursuit; and although many of these may be exaggerated, 

 there can be little doubt that its instinctive vigilance and 

 cunning are great. When obtained young, it may be domes- 

 ticated so far as to allow a person with whom it is acquainted 

 to handle it, but cannot be depended upon, as it exhibits no 

 gratitude towards benefactors, forms no strong attachment, 

 and is ever ready to embrace the opportunity of making its 

 escape. It is said to attain the age of fourteen or fifteen years 

 in captivity." 



It may be added that the habit of burrowing is by no means 

 universally characteristic of the species, the Himalayan variety 



