CHAPTER XIII. 



FOXES AND LAMBS. 



The heading of this chapter may strike readers 

 as not strictly within the scope of a work of this 

 character, but, in the interests of the preservation 

 of foxes, it will not be out of place to describe 

 how Reynard is tempted to interfere with lambs, 

 and the best method of preventing such inter- 

 ference. 



First of all, if a fox does steal a lamb it is 

 from dire necessity, and because of a lack of 

 other food ; in a game-preserving country he will 

 never be driven to such straits, and it is rare 

 indeed that he there succumbs to the attractions 

 of young mutton. Farmers should remember 

 this when inclined to grumble at slight damage 

 inflicted by game on their crops, for the presence 

 of the game of which they complain may be the 

 means of saving them from more serious losses — 

 just as it induces men to poach who might 

 otherwise steal fowls. 



