TURNED-DOWN CUBS. 87 



hen whilst I was there, and Joan would have 

 nothing more to say to her, so after waiting a 

 few minutes I retired leaving the poor fowl to 

 her fate. I had only just got out of sight when 

 a frightful screech from the hen told me some- 

 thing was wrong, and running back at once I 

 was in time to see Darby disappearing over the 

 hill with a whisk of his brush, and the hen in 

 his mouth, little Joan scampering close behind. 

 I suppose this was rather cruel, but it was most 

 interesting, and I am sure the poor hen did not 

 suffer much in the end, as foxes seize their 

 victims by the back just below the shoulder 

 blades, where one grip seems to kill them at 

 once, and when devouring their prey they 

 invariably start at the head and neck. 



