Fox -Ways. 17 



and cackle, as they always do when disturbed, he 

 begins to circle the tree slowly, still jumping and 

 clacking his teeth. The chickens crane their necks 

 down to follow him. Faster and faster he goes, 

 racing in small circles, till some foolish fowl grows 

 dizzy with twisting her head, or loses her balance and 

 tumbles down, only to be snapped up and carried off 

 across his shoulders in a twinkling. 



But there is one way in which fox of the wilderness 

 and fox of the town are alike easily deceived. Both 

 are very fond of mice, and respond quickly to the 

 squeak, which can be imitated perfectly by drawing 

 the breath in sharply between closed lips. The next 

 thing, after that is learned, is to find a spot in which 

 to try the effect. 



Two or three miles back from almost all New Eng- 

 land towns are certain old pastures and clearings, 

 long since run wild, in which the young foxes love to 

 meet and play on moonlight nights, much as rabbits 

 do, though in a less harum-scarum way. When well 

 fed, and therefore in no hurry to hunt, the heart of a 

 young fox turns naturall)^ to such a spot, and to fun 

 and capers. The playground may easily be found by 

 following the tracks after the first snowfall. (The 

 knowledge will not profit you probably till next 

 season ; but it is worth finding and remembering.) 

 If one goes to the place on some still, bright night in 



