THE FOX. 25 



down, while others hardly take the trouble to 

 scuttle out of the fox's way, and as soon as he 

 has passed by all goes on as before; ''out of 

 sight out of mind " evidently being their motto, 

 and they seem to know instinctively that at this 

 time the fox has no design on their lives, not 

 being on the look-out for food. 



In the morning it is quite different. The 

 instant Master Reynard appears the rabbits get 

 out of his way with all possible haste, as foxes 

 have a nasty habit of picking up any piece of 

 food they can easily get hold of as they return 

 to their kennels, carrying it with them, and 

 burying it in some convenient spot for a meal 

 on a future occasion. The rabbits know this 

 habit well, and make themselves scarce in con- 

 sequence, all the cheek and confidence of the 

 previous evening having departed. I have seen 

 half-grown cubs even bringing home large 

 rabbits and burying them near their earths, tlieir 

 plump little bodies showing that they had already 

 eaten as much as was good for them. When 

 carrying food foxes will pass quite close without 

 perceiving you, being prevented from doing so, 

 perhaps, by the strong smell so near to their 

 noses. Once I happened unfortunately to be 



