

524 Practical Game Preserving. 



our belief, been no nearer the fox than when first we hit 

 off its track. 



This varmint has a peculiar aversion to rain, and in wet 

 weather will lie remarkably close, rarely leaving the shelter 

 of its earth or lair, except to obtain such food as may be 

 absolutely necessary. A fox caught after a week's rain 

 shows unmistakable signs of privation. Why this should be 

 is not at all evident, as the rain or wet cannot particularly 

 influence the scent of the birds and animals which form its 

 food ; nor does it appear why damp weather should be so 

 extremely distasteful to the fox. 



The powerful odour which always envelops the fox whilst 

 alive, and which clings to its skin to some extent when 

 dead, is the result of a secretion in glands situated near 

 the root of the tail, very similar to those in the stoat and 

 fitch and their like, with the exception that in this instance 

 the odour is more lasting, and clings with tenacity to any 

 object which may be brought in contact with it, yet it 

 has by no means that disgusting fcetor characterising the 

 secretion in the foumart. 



Disease of any kind is not often noticed as occurring 

 in the fox, nor does it appear to be of any varied type ; 

 although, no doubt, inclemencies of weather and the quality 

 and quantity of its food will affect it in the same way as 

 dogs in like circumstances. The worst disease attacking 

 the fox is mange, which sometimes assumes a most virulent 

 type, and causes death ; whether it be generated solely by, 

 and confined to, the particular animal afflicted, or whether 

 acquired from intercourse with others, is not yet apparent, 

 but in all probability it is the result of a consumption of 



