DELALANDE'S FOX 



had one of these foxes which he captured out on 

 the karoo at Prieska. It was one of a litter of five 

 which he caused to be dug out of a deserted hole 

 of an Aard Vark. At the time my friend possessed 

 a cat which had recently given birth to some kittens. 

 He drowned thelatter,and after the bereaved mother 

 cat had been allowed to pine for her kittens for a 

 day, he diplomatically introduced the little help- 

 less fox puppy to her, and to his delight she imme- 

 diately adopted and suckled it as if it had been her 

 own kitten. It soon grew strong and became ex- 

 tremely playful, and it was indeed a pleasing sight 

 to see the graceful little creature romping around, 

 racing off full speed, doubling rapidly round a bush, 

 dashing back, tumbling, rolling and springing into 

 the air in a very abandonment of light-heartedness. 

 There was an old rooster which stalked around in 

 a lordly sort of way. The fox teased him most 

 unmercifully. Secreting itself, it would suddenly 

 bound out and make pretence of springing on the 

 old cock, and in a variety of other ways giving 

 shocks to the poor old fellow's nervous system, so 

 that in time he got that he was almost afraid of his 

 own shadow. The fox never attempted to injure 

 any of the poultry. It could not be trusted, how- 

 ever, when young chickens were about, and when 

 an opportunity occurred it would snap one up and 

 steal off quietly and furtively into cover, eat up the 

 dainty morsel, and come out looking unconcerned 

 and innocent. 



