From Fox's Earth 



" walked " against the approaching day for puppy 

 judging : a curious system of boarding-out, con- 

 fined, so far as I know, to young foxhounds. 



The country round about was mainly grass and 

 woodland, an excellent combination for scenic 

 effect, of that soothing and idyllic kind known 

 as pastoral. Some workmen were engaged in 

 making gateways, for the benefit of those who 

 would rather not take the fence. A somewhat 

 ingenious latch, easily lifted by the whip, enabled 

 the rider to gain passage without dismounting. 

 Thus there would seem to be a theatrical element 

 in sport : an appearance of daring meant to 

 impress the gallery. The great shaggy High- 

 land cattle lent the last picturesque touch to the 

 environment. Down the face of the green slope 

 we went, to the stream running along the foot. 

 " I brought you to see this, because I thought 

 you would be interested." There was much to 

 interest. 



It was a fox's earth, wider than, but in no other 

 way differing from, a rabbit's hole. Though not 

 naturally a burrower, the fox may enlarge what is 

 already there. In this case, it seemed to have 

 taken possession after, probably, consuming the 

 previous tenant. The surroundings were untidy 

 and unsavoury to a degree. The fox is not a 

 clean feeder, nor does it take the trouble one 

 would look for in so quick-witted an animal to 

 remove the tell-tale evidence of its whereabouts. 



