FOX HUNTING IN AMERICA. 257 



two hours at most, when we thought ourselves fortunate, 

 when he first came amongst us, if we run him down in 

 twelve," is equally plain. He is a Northern animal, and 

 the fat living you give him, and your warm climate, have 

 degenerated the gaunt starveling of the North. 



Godman, in his American Natural History, disposes of the 

 question in quite a summary manner, and, no doubt, greatly 

 to his own satisfaction. He says : 



By the fineness of its fur, the liveliness of its color, 

 length of limbs, and slenderness of body, as well as the form 

 of its skull, the Red Fox of America is obviously distinguished 

 from the common fox of Europe, to which, in other respects, 

 it bears a resemblance sufficiently striking to mislead an inci- 

 dental observer. 



But to suppose this question of varieties settled, we may 

 proceed in justice to say that with all his persecution Reynard 

 has never been remarkable for ill-nature, except after the 

 manner of a practical joker, who gives and takes ; he has too 

 great regard for his ancient and privileged character as a 

 humorist, ever to show his teeth savagely, except when fully 

 cornered, and then he dies game. No wonder the gall of bitter- 

 ness should be stirred within him at the venal and unfair 

 method of pursuit common in the Northern States, where the 

 Cross Fox is hunted by countrymen on foot through the snow. 



The dogs used are a mongrel cross upon the cur hound and 

 grayhound. This animal is stronger and swifter than any 

 thorough-bred, and better suited for this peculiar purpose 

 for the object is simply to get the skin and turn it into dollais 

 and cents in the most direct possible manner. There is no 

 poetry or chivalry in this kind of chase, of which Dr. Bach- 

 man gives the following account. 



o o 



In the fresh-fallen and deep snows of mid-winter, the 

 hunters are most successful. During these severe snow 

 storms, the ruffled grouse, called in our Eastern States the 

 partridge, is often snowed up and covered over ; or sometimes 



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