42 THE MOUNTAIN-FQX. 



THE MOUNTAIN-FOX. 



OCCASIONALLY, while ranging for roes, the hounds 

 come on the track of a hill-fox; they will then show 

 even more than their usual keenness, and open with 

 greater ardour. As the same passes often serve for 

 both, the roe-hunter has sometimes an opportunity of 

 shooting this wily destroyer. Such a chance only occurs 

 when prey is scarce on the mountains, and he leaves 

 them to seek it in the woods below ; I therefore do not 

 recommend having a charge of smaller shot in one 

 barrel a plan adopted by some. 



Any one who sees the hill-fox bounding along within 

 fair distance, will immediately be struck with the differ- 

 ence of his appearance from that of the small cur, which 

 never leaves the low grounds. The mountain-fox is a 

 splendid-looking fellow ; even the sneaking gait of the 

 enemy of the poultry-yard has, in a great measure, 

 left him ; he seems to feel that he breathes a freer air, 

 and lives by more noble plunder. He is extremely de- 

 structive to all game within his range, and the havoc he 

 makes among the hill-lambs is a serious loss to the 

 farmer. He will also not unfrequently attack and de- 

 stroy full-grown sheep. To prevent the increase of 



