HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 305 



The cunning of the Fox, in surprising and se- 

 curing its prey, is equally remarkable. When it 

 has acquired more than it can devour, its first care 

 is to secure what it has killed, which is generally all 

 within its reach. It digs holes in different places, 

 where it conceals its booty, by carefully covering it 

 with earth to prevent a discovery. If a flock of 

 poultry have unfortunately fallen victims to its 

 stratagems, it will bring them, one by one, to these 

 hiding places, where it leaves them till hunger de- 

 mands fresh supplies. 



The chase of the Fox is a very favourite diversion 

 in this kingdom, and is no where pursued with such 

 ardour and intrepidity. Both our Dogs and Horses 

 are confessedly superior to those of any other coun- 

 try. The instant the Fox finds he is pursued, he 

 flies towards his hole; and finding it stopped, which 

 is always carefully done before the chase begins, he 

 has recourse to his speed and his cunning for safety. 

 He does not double and measure his ground back 

 like the Hare, but continues his course straight for- 

 ward before the Hounds, with great strength and per- 

 severance. Both Dogs and Horses, particularly the 

 latter, have frequently fallen victims to the ardour of 

 the pursuit, which has sometimes continued for up- 

 wards of fifty miles without the smallest intermis- 

 sion, and almost at full speed.* As the scent of the 

 Fox is very strong, the Dogs follow with great 



* Mr. CHARLES TURNER'S Hounds hunted at Ayreyholm, near 

 Hurworth, in the county of Durham, and found the noted old Fox 

 C^SAR, which made an extraordinary chase. After a round of 

 four miles, he led to Smeaton, through Hornby and Appleton ; then 

 back again to Hornby, Worset Moor, Piersburgh, Lympton, Cray- 

 thorn, Middleton, Hilton, Seamer, Newby, Marton, Ormsby; then 

 upon Hambleton, through Kirkleatham Park, Upleatham, Skelton, 

 VOL III. 2 Q 



