28 FOXES AT HOME. 



discarded by the object of his affections, then 

 worsted by his rival, and finally eaten by the 

 hounds. Was ever fate so unkind ? 



Rejected suitors and superabundant spinsters 

 must therefore seek a mate elsewhere or go 

 without, and as one sometimes, though very 

 rarely, hears of a barren vixen, perhaps the 

 latter alternative is the cause, as vixens are 

 more " stay at home " than the dogs, which 

 latter will often travel immense distances in 

 search of a partner in the pairing season. When 

 found by hounds on these occasions out of their 

 country, they make straight for home, and 

 frequently give the best run of the season. 



Foxes begin to " pair " towards the end of 

 December, but in parts where they are much 

 hunted they seem to come together sooner and 

 and have earlier litters than where they have 

 been left in comparative quiet all the year. 



Just as the glimmering landscape has almost 

 faded from one's sight, when the voices of 

 Nature are silent, and twilight deepens into 

 darkness, the dog fox steals from his kennel in 

 search of a mate. 



" The conscious villain. See ! he skulks along, 



Sleek at the shepherd's cost, and plump with meals 

 purloin'd ! " 



