THE FOX 99 



so exactly that the trail might be that of a two- 

 legged creature. Thus there is no careless stepping 

 on cracking twigs, or rustling leaves, that might 

 alarm the prey that is being stalked. The habit, 

 moreover, is so deeply ingrained in its nature that 

 it always walks, and even trots, in the same 

 manner, whether it is hunting or no. It is only 

 when it breaks into a hurried gallop that it forgets 

 to place its feet precisely, and then its trail is 

 like that of a dog, for it bounds along with exactly 

 the same gait. At other times the only creature 

 with which the fox can be compared in the precision 

 with which it places its feet is the cat. She also 

 is a hunter and an adept in the art of silent stalking. 

 It will be found that she, too, puts her hind-feet 

 exactly on the spot vacated by the fore. After a 

 light fall of snow is the best time to see and study 

 this. Then the movements of the creatures of the 

 night can be read easily by those who know the 

 language of track and trail. You can trace the 

 midnight wanderings of the fox, and learn how 

 he passed by brake and brier bush, through the 

 woods, and down to the stream to drink, you will 

 find where his favourite crossing-place is, and how 

 he stalked mice, rabbits, and other creatures. 

 The snow will reveal how he visited the farm- 

 yard, hoping no doubt that the hens had not been 

 shut up, and one can track his small neat foot- 

 steps even up to the fowlhouse door. But, though 

 one may trail a fox for miles through the snow, 

 it is strange how seldom you will find trace 

 of him killing, and it is evident that a fox 



