26 The Fox 



may be heard digging, and his whereabouts is thus 

 disclosed. The scene now becomes one of great 

 excitement for the boys and dogs, each getting in 

 the way of the other, and delaying the capture. If 

 no large stone or root interferes, the fox is soon ex- 

 posed, and is usually seized and despatched by one 

 of the dogs. 



Another method of ferreting the fox, when rocks and 

 stones make digging impossible, is that of "smoking 

 him out." Dry punk is set on fire and, when burning 

 well, is forced some three or four feet into the entrance 

 of the burrow. Through the lack of sufficient air, 

 quite a quantity of smoke and gases is formed, which 

 after a time becomes diffused through the remotest 

 parts of the burrow. This is a new enemy to the 

 bewildered fox, and one on which his usual cunning 

 has little effect. In his last desperate effort to escape, 

 he tries to gain the entrance of his burrow, but falls 

 exhausted near the smouldering heap that not only 

 blocks his way, but is pouring forth its deadly fumes. 

 After about two hours the remaining mass is raked 

 out and a slender, slightly forked stick inserted and 

 twisted about. In so doing the end usually becomes 

 entangled in the fur of the fox and he is then easily 

 drawn to the entrance of the burrow. 



Still another method of capture is sometimes at- 



