114 Horse and Hound. 



taking a "siesta," and is much sought after, espe- 

 cially in the early morning hours. Having lo- 

 cated or suspected his napping place, it should 

 be approached up wind. 



At the first sound of the hound's cry, softened 

 by distance and borne on the wind, the fox, if he 

 be resting or sleeping, will jump to his feet, and 

 if in thick brush or cover, walk to a clearing. If 

 the hounds are at quite a distance he will mount 

 a stump or fence and remain listening until he 

 satisfies himself the sound is approaching; this 

 seldom takes but little time, as their sense of hear- 

 ing is abnormally acute. If it is a dog fox, and 

 especially one that has heard the grand chorus 

 of a clamorous pack at his heels before, he waits 

 not upon the order of his going, but takes a bee 

 line for another section of country. If it is a 

 vixen, especially one with cubs, her instinct 

 tempts her to remain close by, and she will begin 

 her run by making large circles, attempting to get 

 in the rear of the hounds. 



After a few regularly executed preliminary 

 maneuvers, and the fox has settled down to the 

 business in hand, an experienced hunter can tell 

 whether the quarry is a red or gray, male or fe- 

 male (if the latter, whether in whelp or not), old 

 or young, novice or old-timer, stiff-neck or loafer, 

 and approximately what his tactics will be. 



The natural instinct and first inclination of the 

 red fox (though not so with the gray) is to out- 



