TURNED-DOWN CUBS. 8 1 



the hunting season, so it does not do to trust 

 too much to their assistance. 



Beckford says one can put down cubs at once 

 in the earth with a wild Htter, and perhaps the 

 vixen will take to them, but I think this too 

 risky, as if she smells your hands on them she 

 may kill them, fearing a trap of some sort, and 

 the safest plan Is as I have above described. 



Turned-down cubs which have to be reared 

 by hand unfortunately become very tame ; they 

 turn up punctually for their food, and If you 

 should not be up to time will probably trot to 

 meet you, or get into some position where they 

 can see you coming, and then scamper on to the 

 earth so as to be there when you arrive. 



The food should always be put down late in the 

 .evening, the later the better, as otherwise it may 

 be removed by dogs, cats, or other vermin, and 

 the cubs have to go without. Another great 

 disadvantage of putting it down in the day-time 

 Is that the cubs may be seen by outsiders, and 

 they at once begin to imagine they are losing 

 their fowls, and send in bills accordingly, and 

 the poor fox (or the Hunt for him) has over and 

 over again to pay for a duck or chicken which 

 lie never has had the pleasure of eating ! 



