THE FOX* 71 



Stratagems in the chace Maternal affection. 



enemies. But when a retreat is cut off, his shifts 

 and stratagems to escape are equally numerous 

 and surprising. He always takes to the woody 

 parts of the country, and prefers the paths that 

 are most embarrassed with thorns and briers. 

 He runs in a direct line before the hounds, and 

 at no great distance from them; and if hard- 

 pushed, seeks the low wet grounds, as though 

 conscious that the scent does not lie so well 

 there. When overtaken, he becomes obstinately 

 desperate, and defends himself against his adver- 

 saries even to the last gasp. 



A remarkable instance of the affection of thii 

 animal is said to have occurred some years ago, 

 near Chelmsford, in Essex. A female fox, that 

 had but one cub, was unkennelled by a gentle- 

 man's hounds, and was hotly pursued. The poor 

 animal, braving every danger rather than leave 

 her cub to be worried by the dogs, took it up in 

 her mouth, and fled before her pursuers in this 

 manner for several miles. At last, taking her 

 way through a farmer's yard, she was assaulted 

 by a mastiff; and was obliged to drop her cub, 

 which was taken up by the farmer; while the 

 affectionate mother fortunately escaped the pur- 

 suit, and got off in safety. 



The Rev. B. Daniel also mentions a female 

 fox which was hunted near St. Ivcs, during three 

 quarters of an hour, with a cub, about a fortnight 

 old, all the time in her mouth, which she was at 



