270 THE NOBLE SCIENCE. 



have listened to diversities of opinion upon this subject^, 

 for even in this all are not unanimous. Some contend, 

 that the foxes, accustomed to lie under ground, would, 

 in severe weather, find exposure to the cold too much 

 for them, and would altogether shift their quarters, if 

 they did not fall victims to the want of shelter ; but 

 why should they be more sensible of cold than their 

 brethren, which are, what is called, stub-bred — strangers 

 to subterranean enjoyment, 



" For that delight they never knew, 

 And, therefore, never missed?" 



If they are left tolerably quiet, that is, not routed out 

 of their turn, (for no covert likely to shew sport should 

 be drawn too often), I should not fear their changing 

 quarters because they are obliged permanently to put 

 up with some snug warm kennel above ground. Foxes 

 have a feline attachment to their homes ; and, with that 

 wonderful instinct which directs the return of dogs, in 

 a manner wholly unaccountable, any given distances to 

 the places whence they have been removed, foxes are 

 known regularly to retrace their steps ; like other ferce 

 naturdf they become naturalized on the spots where 

 they are bred, and are generally to be found within the 

 scope of their native regions. In the spring, when 

 anxious to pay their devoirs to the fair, dog-foxes do 

 not consider the absence of a railroad as any impedi- 

 ment to their nocturnal visits ; but, Leander like, they 



