io8 'Game and Foxes. 



before they grew so weak as to be noticeable. 

 There is no doubt that an appreciable portion of 

 the game a fox secures would die in any case from 

 disease or wounds, and perhaps do immense harm 

 before succumbing in a natural way. So it is 

 really no loss. 



In a hunting country, where foxes are to be 

 feared, a game-preserver will do well to maintain 

 his stock of game in the fullest health and vigour. 

 A healthy bird possessed of good stamina is sure 

 to be more on the alert than another lower in 

 condition, which is inclined to mope ; it is the 

 latter bird which becomes an easy prey to foxes. 

 Interbreeding is a sure and certain means of 

 producing birds lacking in vigour, and should be 

 avoided at all costs. Where the proprietor of a 

 shooting is careful to infuse fresh blood amongst 

 his stock at frequent intervals, his losses from 

 foxes are sure to be decreased, for his birds are 

 better able to look after their own safety. We all 

 recognise in the human specimen the alertness 

 and vim which arises from perfect health and a 

 vigorous constitution, and, as this enables a man 

 to battle with the difficulties of his life, so does it 

 assist even a pheasant or partridge to escape 

 dangers which are fatal to less vigorous birds of 

 their kind. Game out of condition is just as much 



