22 The Fox 



they were reared. It is also well to know that foxes 

 have certain runways through valleys and across 

 hills, through swamps and along water courses, and 

 that these are followed more or less regularly by the 

 fox, either when pursued or when quietly moving 

 from place to place in search of food. This fact is 

 taken advantage of by hunters, and the runways must 

 be located before success in the hunt can be expected. 

 In the fall of 1880 foxes were very plentiful in the 

 State of New York on the hills between the Una- 

 dilla and Chenango rivers. There was scarcely any 

 snow until late in November, and when it did come 

 it was very dry, the wind blowing it from the fields 

 and hill tops, and drifting it along the fences. Not- 

 withstanding the bareness of the fields, thoughts of 

 the old time sport tempted the more adventurous 

 hunters. Two of these enthusiastic Nimrods set 

 forth with a well trained hound before the snow had 

 stopped sifting about even in the less exposed places. 

 The hound soon struck a trail, and as the track was 

 fresh he seemed to fly over the snow. The deep 

 toned baying sent the blood tingling through the 

 veins of both pursuer and pursued. The first himt 

 of the season was really on! The men took positions 

 of vantage on the supposed runway, watching and 

 listening carefully for the expected game. Meanwhile 



