CHAPTER VII 



THE FOX AS A CAPTIVE, AND NOTES ON MANGE 



The fox is a wild animal by nature. He may, like 

 other animals, be partly tamed, but he is never 

 domesticated, and although captive foxes with charac- 

 teristic adaptability will make the best of their re- 

 straint, they never, as do the dog or the cat, become 

 members of their master's family. In almost all cases 

 they are shy with strangers. 



The captive fox always lives a life apart from 

 that of man. His love of concealment and desire to 

 slay remain as strong as ever. However well fed, 

 no fowl is safe within his reach. He has no respect 

 for his master's property. Even the cat will spare 

 her owner's birds, and the most confirmed poacher 

 among cats is to be trusted in the farmyard. But the 

 fox is never trustworthy. Indeed, if careful observers 

 are to be believed, he adapts his ruses to circum- 

 stances and endeavours to entice the unsuspecting 



