66 Game and Foxes. 



preventing it. A remark is made elsewhere that 

 the reader who desires to do his best by both 

 game and foxes wnll endeavour to keep the latter 

 at ground, and with this intent must allow them to 

 form suitable earths. Where earths are available 

 the foxes will prefer to be at ground in the day- 

 time, and are not then likely to interfere with 

 shooting ; should any be above it, the first signs of 

 beating and the first few shots will drive them into 

 the earths. 



Beating must be conducted slowly if the 

 presence of a fox is anticipated, so that Reynard 

 may have time to break out at the flanks or get to 

 ground, and not be driven into a corner, and 

 directly the beaters reach an earth down which he 

 has disappeared the faggot for closing it must be 

 firmly fixed in the entrance. All other earths 

 should be closed as the beaters pass them by, that 

 foxes already within may be kept there. Do not 

 close earths earlier in the day, as foxes above 

 ground are certain to be driven in by guns and 

 beaters, and once in the earths will not give further 

 trouble. 



The wounded game picked up after a day's 

 covert shooting often forms a creditable addition 

 to the bag, but under ordinary circumstances 

 hardly any is recovered in a hunting district. The 



