TtiE Post. i4g 



this way he proceeds till the progress of* the sun, or 

 some movements perceived in the house, warn him 

 that it is time to suspend his operations, and to re- 

 tire to his den. He plays the same part with the 

 catchers of Thrushes, Woodcocks, &c. He visits 

 the nets and birdlime very early in the morninj^ : 

 and carries off successively the birds which are en- 

 tangled; concealing them in different places, especi- 

 ally by the sides of highways, in the furrows, and 

 under the herbage or brush- wood, where they some- 

 times are left two or three days, but where he knows 

 perfectly to find them when he is in need. He hunts 

 the young Hares in the plains ; seizes old ones in 

 their seats ; digs out the Rabbets in the warrens ; 

 discovers the nests of Partridges and Quails, and 

 seizes the mothers on the eggs ; and destroys a vast 

 quantity of game. He is exceedingly voracious ; 

 and' when other food fails him, makes war against 

 Rats, Field Mice, Serpents, Lizards, and Toads, 

 Of these he destroys great numbers ; and this is the 

 only service that he appears to do to mankind. 

 When urged by hunger, he will also eat roots or in- 

 sects ; and the Foxes near the coasts will devour 

 Crabs, Shrimps, or Shell-fish. In France and Italy, 

 they do incredible mischief by feeding on grapes, 

 of which they are excessively fond ^. 



We are told by BufFon, that the Fox sometimes at- 

 tacks Bee-hives, and the nests of Wasps, for the 

 sake of what he can find to eat : and that he fre- 

 quently meets with so rough a reception here, as to 



* fcJU). Biit, Zool. ii. 73. 



