APPENDIX. 149 



themselves, when they are not so easily get-at- 

 able or exterminated eii masse. 



It is necessary to use a certain amount of 

 judgment when selecting the position for an 

 artificial earth. It should either be in an open 

 glade in the covert or some very secluded spot 

 in the open, if possible on the side of a hill or 

 gentle slope (being more likely to keep dry than 

 if on the flat) facing south, and where the warm 

 rays of the sun will strike down on, and into, 

 the mouth of the earth all, or the greater part 

 of, the day, especially about noon, as, when the 

 vixen is lying out, the cubs, even when very 

 tiny, love to come to the mouth to bask and 

 sleep in the sunshine. 



Natural earths, especially in sandy soil which 

 is easy to burrow into, as a rule run very deep, 

 so, when there is no danger of the earth being 

 damp, do not be afraid of digging down. 

 Artificial earths are, as a rule, made much too 

 near the surface. Let '* deep and dry'' be your 

 motto. The shape of the earth, too, should be 

 considered, and the holes should be straight, to 

 enable the vixen to clean them out without 

 difficulty ; those formed like the letter Y are 

 generally most satisfactory, and only one 



