THE FOX. 19 



partial to, frequently laying up their cubs in the 

 latter. 



When foxes are much hunted and the coverts 

 constantly disturbed either by hounds or other- 

 wise they will lie to ground if possible, and when 

 pairing the dogs will lie up with the vixens, but 

 w^hen the earths are stopped continuously they 

 will often lie out in the open on a dry fallow, in 

 kale, mustard, or turnips, and in hedgerows, 

 ■especially towards the end of the season, if the 

 fields are unfrequented. In this way many a 

 good fox evades the hounds for the greater part 

 of the season, and a fox found in the open is 

 almost sure to be a good one. 



Foxes dislike bracken, and only use it as a 

 shelter in the heat of summer and autumn when 

 it is quite dry underneath, and, in the case of 

 cubs, close to their earth. It is usually very 

 •damp lying, and when decaying most destructive 

 to scent. 



In some districts foxes are frequently found 

 •curled up on the branches of large trees, many 

 feet from the ground, and it is marvellous the 

 height they can jump or fall down, with impunity, 

 like a squirrel or cat. 



I remember Mr. Garth's hounds finding a fox 



c 2 



