THE Fo:ii. 251 



himself behind them, and made a booty of the first 

 Crow that came for a bit of them *." 



The Fox prepares for himself a convenient d^rh, 

 in which he lies concealed during the greater part of 

 the day. This is so contrived, as to afrord the best 

 possible security to its inhabitant ; being situated 

 under hard ground, the roots of trees, &c. and is 

 besides furnished with proper outlets, through which 

 Jie may escape in case of necessity. — This care and 

 dexterity in constructing for himself a habitation, is 

 by M. de Buffon considered as alone sufficient to 

 rank the Fox among the higher order of qua- 

 drupeds. 



He is one of those animals, that in this country- 

 are made objects of diversion in the chace. When 

 he finds himself pursued, he generally makes towards 

 his hole ; and penetrating to the bottom, lies till a 

 Terrier is sent in to him. If his den is under a rock 

 or the roots of trees, which is often the case, he is 

 safe ; for the Terrier is no match for him there, and 

 he cannot be dug out by his enemies. When the re- 

 , treat to his kennel is cut off, his stratagems and shifts 

 to escape are as surprising as they are various. He 

 always takes to the woody parts of the country, and 

 prefers the paths that are most embarrassed with 

 thorns and briars. He runs in a direct line before the 

 hounds, and at no great distance from them ; and 

 if hard-pushed, seeks the low wet grounds, as though 

 conscious that the scent does not lie so well there. 



* Pontoppidan, ii. 22. Thc^e seem yuch extraordinary instances of 

 sagacity and intelligence, tliat vve scarcely know ht)^Y to credit them. 



