96 Game and Foxes. 



rabbits should be allowed in a fox-covert, as a 

 change of earths is necessary to the health of a 

 litter of cubs, particularly when much food is 

 being brought to them and remnants left from 

 their meals begin to render foul the one they for 

 the time occupy. While a litter remains small, 

 and unable to roam about in the earth, rabbits 

 have no objection to occupying it jointly with 

 them, using the small side holes up which the 

 vixen cannot penetrate because of her size ; but 

 when the cubs begin to crawl about, rabbits are 

 compelled to leave, for each tiny side-hole is 

 explored before the cubs dare venture outside. 

 These side-holes which rabbits make in connec- 

 tion with an earth are frequently the means of 

 preventing the destruction of the litter, as, when 

 a hunting terrier enters, each cub promptly rushes 

 up them and the dog cannot follow. If those 

 who raise objection to the presence of rabbits in 

 a fox-covert will ponder on the foregoing remarks, 

 it is possible they will afterwards entertain a 

 contrary opinion. 



For the sake of the game, foxes are far better 

 kept at ground, and, indeed, it is better for hunting 

 that they should lie in their earths all day if so 

 disposed. While there, they are not likely to be 

 disturbed and driven away from the covert, but 



