98 WOODLAND CREATURES 



can be proved by examining the droppings, which 

 are invariably full of rabbit fur. From the same 

 source will be obtained evidence that many other 

 things are not despised, down even to grubs and 

 insects. It is often astonishing the number of 

 beetle wings, or rather wing-cases, that will be 

 found in the excrement, the hard elytra having 

 passed through undigested. The fact is that a 

 fox will eat many unexpected things, from beetles, 

 frogs, and fish, to even fruit. It has a liking for 

 sweet things, and I knew a tame fox that would 

 do anything for jam. There is undoubtedly some 

 foundation for the fable of the fox and the grapes. 

 Foxes are also very fond of mice, in particular the 

 short-tailed meadow voles, which are so plentiful 

 in long grass. They will watch for and pounce 

 upon them, often killing numbers ; indeed, the 

 successful stalking of field mice seems to be the 

 first step in the education of the cubs, when they 

 begin to learn their profession as hunters. 



That the fox is a hunter is plainly shown by 

 the way it steps. It should be contrasted with 

 the badger, which is not a hunter but largely a 

 scavenger and grub-eater. The latter puts its 

 feet down anyhow, one pad here, another there, 

 careless of whether it makes a noise or not. The 

 fox moves as silently as a shadow, and an examina- 

 tion of its tracks will show the reason why. It 

 is not only careful where it puts its front-feet 

 down, but when it has moved them it takes care 

 to bring the hind-pads forward on to the exact 

 spots vacated by the fore-paws. They register 



