THE FOX. 



333 



of a similar nature, but not so well developed, are found in the wolves. The tenacity 

 with which this scent clings to any object which it has touched is quite extraordinary. 

 I remember an instance when a Fox was captured by an old laborer, in revenge for 

 killing his fowls, and which he exhibited in an outhouse for a short time. The animal 

 could not have been in the shed for more than twenty minutes, and yet the odor which 

 it evolved was so pertinaciously adherent to everything which had been touched by the 

 animal that the shed was not free from the tell-tale scent for many weeks. 



At night, while walking over the Wiltshire Downs, and the various roads that in- 

 tersect them, I have frequently been aware that a Fox had crossed the path, and could 

 have followed up the scent for some distance. 



It is by this scent that the hounds are able to follow the footsteps of a flying Fox, 

 and to run it down by their superior speed and endurance. The Fox, indeed, seems to 

 be aware that its pursuers are guided in their chase by this odor, and puts in practice 

 every expedient that its fertile brain can produce in order to break the continuity of the 

 scent or to overpower it by the presence of other odors, which are more powerful, 

 though not more agreeable. A hunted Fox will make the most extraordinary leaps in 

 order to break the line of scent, and throw the hounds on a false track. It will run 

 for a considerable distance in a straight line, return upon its own track, and then make 



FO\.-VuJpes vulgarls. 



a powerful spring to one side, so as to induce the dogs to run forward while it quietly 

 steals away. It will take every opportunity of perfuming, or rather of scenting, itself 

 with any odorous substance with which it can meet, in the hope of making the hounds 

 believe that they have mistaken their quarry. In fine, there are a thousand wiles which 

 this crafty animal employs and which are related by every one who has watched a Fox 

 or hunted it. 



Even when tamed it preserves its singular cunning. A tame Fox, that was kept in a 

 stable-yard, had managed to strike up a friendship with several of the dogs, and would 

 play with them, but could never induce the cats to approach him. Cats are very sensi- 

 tive in their nostrils, and could not endure the vulpine odor. They would not even 

 walk upon any spot where the Fox had been standing ; and kept as far aloof as possible 

 from him. 



The crafty animal soon perceived that the cats would not come near him, and made 

 use of his knowledge to cheat them of their breakfast. As soon as the servant poured 

 out the cats' allowance of milk, the Fox would run to the spot and walk about the 

 saucer, well knowing that none of the rightful owners would approach the defiled locality. 



