156 HUNTING. 



Englishman looked at from the foreigner's point of view : ' God 

 dam it is fine to-day ! What shall we kill ? ' If he would only 

 take the little that satisfies his appetite he would not be grudged 

 his food. But if there are twenty or thirty or more fowls that he 

 can get at, he will kill them all. He may take away three or 

 four and bury them and one to eat presently, but the rest he 

 leaves. Poultry taken in broad daylight near the owner's farm 

 or residence are paid for also. But we must have some proof, 

 such as the feathers strewn about, and like a paper chase 

 dropped on the line he has gone, for a fox makes a rare mess 

 when he kills poultry. In a country full of foxes, and where 

 such claims are paid, directly a fowl is missed, without inquiry 

 or demur, its loss is set down to the foxes ', and consequently 

 the two-legged foxes, in whose pots they might be often found, 

 get off with impunity. It is therefore very necessary to have 

 these claims inquired into and made out to be genuine. I 

 have had claims for calves and cows killed by foxes, but they 

 are too ridiculous to require any remarks from me. Bulls and 

 cart horses as yet have not been claimed for. 



ARTIFICIAL FOX EARTHS. 



In describing the various methods of making artificial fox 

 earths, or drains as they are called in some countries, it is of 

 course impossible to lay down any hard and fast rules, as their 

 construction must depend in every case upon local considera- 

 tions. A few of the principal points to be aimed at may be 

 noted, however, and the constructor must then use his judgment 

 in putting them in force accordmg to circumstances. 



Artificial earths are primarily meant for breeding establish- 

 ments, and among the chief points to be borne in mind are the 

 inspect, Position, Soil, Drainage, Construction, Materials, and 

 Form of earth. 



