158 HUNTING. 



being placed on the north side of the dell, half-way up the 

 bank, so that the sun may get at it in the afternoon and evening. 



The Soil of the place should be a matter of careful selection. 

 The great object to be aimed at is that the vixen may have a 

 dry place to lie on and drop her cubs, and it is also an advan- 

 tage that she should be able to scratch or draw out a snug 

 corner in the lodging room to litter her offspring. It is the 

 instinctive nature of the vixen some few weeks before her con- 

 finement to scratch out and make for herself a bed on what may 

 be called fresh soil in order that she may here lay up her cubs ; 

 and by giving her the opportunity of following her instincts there 

 is a greater chance of her taking to her artificial home. Chalk 

 we all know is the driest and best soil for this purpose, and it is 

 at the same time a soil that is easily moved by the burrowing 

 animal ; also, it is not so likely as gravel or sand to fall in. 

 Endeavour then to get your earth made where you have a sub- 

 soil of chalk. If no chalk site is obtainable, the nearest 

 possible approach to a soil of this nature is the best. 



Drainage is also a matter of consequence, but one upon 

 which it is impossible to offer any very definite suggestions. 

 Everything depends on the situation, but this can be said : 

 always make the lodging room considerably higher than the 

 mouth of the hole. This will assist the drainage considerably, 

 also drain the ground outside the mouth if damp. 



As for Construction and Materials, it is not advisable to 

 construct these earths in a smart or neat way. They should be 

 made as roughly as possible, and with as rough materials. The 

 outside cuts of trees, old bricks or flints — anything, in fact, which 

 is sufficient to keep the ground from falling in. 



Two matters ought to be taken into consideration. First, 

 that the first few feet of the entrance must not be large enough 

 to allow a terrier or cur dog to get in. Secondly, that there 

 should be more than one entrance to the lodging room, so that 

 in case of an enemy getting in the fox is able to slip round and 

 get out. 



