THE MOUNTAIN -FOX. 317 



unfrequently attack and destroy full-grown sheep. To 

 prevent the increase of these freebooters, a man is appointed 

 for each district of the Highlands, called " the fox-hun- 

 ter," whose business it is to search out and destroy the 

 young litters, in which he is ably seconded by the farmers 

 and shepherds. 



The place selected by the mountain-fox for rearing its 

 young is widely different from that of his pigmy relation 

 of the Lowlands. Unlike the latter, who chooses an old 

 badger-earth or drain, in the midst, perhaps, of a pheasant 

 preserve, the hill-fox prefers some wild and craggy ravine 

 on the top or side of a mountain, far removed from the 

 haunts of men. In spring, these places are all narrowly 

 searched by the shepherds, and the den (for you cannot 

 call the clefts of the rock an earth) often detected by the 

 quantities of wool, feathers of grouse, &c., scattered about 

 the entrance. These are the remains of prey brought to 

 the young ; for as soon as they are able to eat flesh, the 

 old ones leave them during the day, bringing them food 

 morning and evening. 



When the litter is discovered, " the fox-hunter" is 

 brought into requisition (who often at this time has more 

 calls than he can answer) ; his terriers are sent into the 

 den, and the young massacred; a watch is then set to 

 command a view all round, in order, if possible, to shoot 

 the old ones when they return. I have been told by 

 people thus employed, that they had no idea of the prover- 

 bial cunning of the fox until they saw it shown upon such 

 occasions. Although the place has been perfectly bare, 



