CHAPTER X. 



HOW TO MANAGE A VIXEN AND HER CUBS. 



If a fox would be content to kill just as much as 

 is required for its own nourishment no one would 

 begrudge the food necessary to maintain sufficient 

 for hunting purposes, but, unfortunately, he is a 

 sporting character, and the quantity destroyed is 

 only governed by the opportunity ; should he gain 

 ingress to a poultry-house it is his practice to slay 

 the lot and feed off one fowl only. Very often it is a 

 fox already satiated by a heavy meal which carries 

 out this wholesale destruction, and not one fowl is 

 eaten, although some may be buried or otherwise 

 hidden for future use. Whatever damage may be 

 ascribed to a vixen having a litter of cubs to feed, 

 she is rarely guilty of this wholesale destruction, her 

 natural inclination to kill wantonly being overruled 

 by anxiety for her youngsters ; consequently, 

 directly she has secured something she forthwith 

 starts to carry it to the earth. She may resort 

 again and again to the same place for supplies, 



