Fox Preservation Introduction of Foxes. 525 



carrion and other things unpalatable and innutritions to 

 the fox. 



When the mating season occurs, the foxes what is 

 commonly termed "run," that is to say, become uncom- 

 monly restless, and often continue on the move for several 

 days, travelling sometimes to a considerable distance from 

 the locality in which they lie. In such cases a dog and 

 bitch generally "run" in company. This is also termed 

 " clicketing " and "going to clicket." 



Some discussion has taken place upon the question 

 whether the fox and dog will breed together, and many 

 such experiments have been made ; and, although many 

 assert that they have succeeded in producing hybrids, 

 others deny the possibility. But that it is possible is 

 certain, as, for instance, when a bitch is tied up in a fox 

 covert. 



Having now obtained some information on one or two 

 points of fox life, we can proceed to the consideration of 

 their preservation. First, then, as to the introduction of 

 foxes. Obviously all countries cannot be fox-hunting 

 countries for various reasons, the most patent of which 

 will probably be the unsuitability of the locality to the 

 natural habits of the fox. Under such circumstances it 

 is useless attempting the introduction of the wily one 

 with a view to the maintenance of a head of foxes. But 

 if the locality be suitable and foxes have been plentiful 

 before and have died out or been killed down completely, 

 it is a comparatively easy matter to reintroduce the animal. 

 If possible, about the month of March or April some young 

 vixens in whelp should be purchased and turned down 



