CUBS, FOXES, AND VIXENS. 277 



playing all the time in amongst seven hundred 

 tame pheasants, will soon work shocking havoc, 

 killing them in the day-time for pastime, and 

 at night for amusement. 



This, then, is the result of your own folly in 

 killing the vixen, for had you not done so she 

 would have taken a brace of her cubs to East 

 End Woods, another brace to Ugley Park, and 

 two more to Takeley Forest, six cubs out of 

 your way, feeding on your neighbour's game, 

 and only one left at home for you to keep. 

 Is not that better than having all seven cubs in 

 your wood, night and day, in amongst seven 

 hundred birds ? 



" Ah, yes," says you. " But there are two 

 ways of reckoning, Wilkins ; you have said 

 nothing about how many hen birds the vixen 

 would have killed, had she been alive." I 

 reply : — " that's well worth taking into account, 

 I admit. Suppose she brings three or four a 

 week to her cubs." " Oh ! more than that, I 

 have known two, or even three, taken out of 

 Durrell's Wood in one night." " In one 

 night?" "Yes in one night." "Well then, 



