FOX 



him, for my experience in photographing wild creatures has taught 

 me many lessons in woodcraft, and I know how exceedingly 

 difficult it is to approach some birds near enough to expose a 

 plate, yet the Fox has to perform a far greater feat almost every 

 time he wants a meal. 



It is a mistake to think that Foxes live entirely on birds. If 

 they had to rely on feathered game for their livelihood, there 

 would not be many Foxes in the country. Mice, frogs, worms, 

 hedgehogs, and even fish are captured by this energetic hunter. 

 It is also erroneous to think that Reynard only hunts by night. 

 The loud, angry calls of Crows and other birds often proclaim 

 that he is out by day. Especially is this so in the hill country, 

 where boulders, heather, and bracken give him good shelter. 



The Fox of the mountains is a far more hardy creature than 

 that of the lowlands. He seems endowed with far greater powers 

 of endurance, and many a story have I listened to in the Welsh 

 inns of the ' runs ' that had taken place on the hills. One old 

 keeper a keen sportsman never tired of telling me of a certain 

 hunt, and I do not know how many times I have patiently 

 waited while it was told, and he always would tell it when I 

 was keen to hurry on to a certain nest ; for this keeper had a 

 habit, peculiar to many Welshmen, of stopping every few yards, and 

 adding to his vivid description of the hunt many wild gestures. 



The farmers of the mountains keep Foxes somewhat within 

 bounds by trapping and shooting the young, but few of the older 

 ones are taken in this way. Years of hunting and being hunted 

 has made the hill Fox a wary creature, and owing to his fondness 

 for lamb and mutton he is hated alike by shepherd and farmer. 

 Yet, with all his faults, this outlaw is not quite as black as he 

 is painted, and I really believe that many faults are hurled at him 

 for which he is not responsible ; and there are few people who 

 would like to see the last of one of our most beautiful mammals. 



85 s 



