144 WILD ANIMALS WORTH STALKING 



actually with her, he is almost sure to be " viewed 

 away " from the same covert. That the pair 

 both take an active part in preparing a home for 

 the expected family is also plainly to be seen by 

 the two sizes of pads on the fresh-drawn soil at 

 the entrance to the earth. 



From observations made over a series of years, 

 it appears that the Dog Fox does the greater part 

 of the work of clearing out and making ready 

 the earth. After the cubs are born he still con- 

 tinues to be a helpmate to the vixen by providing 

 her with food. Some keepers say he will bring up 

 the family by himself should the mother get killed. 

 This may be so in some cases, but Mr. Bamford 

 tells me that he has never known a single instance 

 where this has taken place, although he has seen 

 many litters left motherless at various ages. Of 

 course, there is no question as to the result if the 

 vixen loses her life during the time the cubs are 

 entirely dependent on the support they get from 

 her body. For at least ten weeks they are quite 

 incapable of getting their own living, and are sup- 

 ported by both parents. 



The Dog Fox does the greater part towards 

 getting food, but in the event of the vixen being 

 killed he has no further interest in the family, and 

 leaves them to starve to death. This is not so if 

 death overtakes the Dog, for the mother will keep 

 the family going single-handed. While watching 



