FOX 



which, as time goes, is not so long ago ; indeed we learn 



that in the sixteenth century Wolves were by no means 



uncommon in Scotland, the home of so many wild 



creatures who flee to the mountains and solitudes of 



the north as a last resource. Every school boy and girl 



is acquainted with the sagacity and cunning of this, 



our only member of the Dog tribe, and many stories 



might be related concerning it. Two instances must 



suffice. A Fox was caught in a trap by one foot, and, 



rather than be taken prisoner, it had the courage to 



amputate its own limb, and thus make good its escape. 



On another occasion a friend was walking along a chff 



in Yorkshire, and saw a Fox just ahead of him. As our 



friend approached, the animal suddenly rolled over, as 



if in a fit, and remained stiff and motionless. Thinking 



the animal had suddenly died, our friend examined it, 



and then passed on his way. After proceeding some 



little distance, he turned round to make quite sure that 



he had not been deceived, when, to his consternation, he 



saw the Fox bounding across the moor at full speed ! 



The crafty Reynard had feigned death as a means of 



escape. 



Of its thirst for blood much might be written. We 



have known it kill thirty-six Pheasants in a quarter of an 



hour, and to completely raid a well-stocked hen-roost 



by biting off the heads of the feathered company 



assembled. It also preys upon Rabbits, Hares, Ducks, 



Partridges and other birds, Hedgehogs, Rats, Mice and 



large insects. These depredations are carried out at 

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