CHAPTER II. 



CUBDOM. 



F'oXES breed only once a year, and the period 

 of gestation is about nine weeks, the same as 

 that of the dog. But, unlike the dog, foxes 

 '' consort " together right up to the time of the 

 vixen laying up her cubs, and even after that 

 happy event the dog hangs about, though he 

 does not often put in an appearance. 



Some weeks prior to the birth of the cubs, 

 the vixen begins to look about for a suitable 

 earth in which to lay them up, and having 

 selected a large rabbit burrow, or badger's 

 earth, in some quiet place, where, if possible, the 

 sun can shine on and into the mouth of the hole 

 during the day time, she proceeds to clean, or 

 ''draw" (technically called "to work") it 

 out, and, if necessary, to enlarge it. This 

 "working " is done in the early morning. 



When a vixen begins to "work" the earths 



