LITTLE BEASTS OF FIELD AND WOOD 



perhaps ten inches apart in the line. Sometimes 

 for short distances, and oftenest in very shaUow 

 snow, they are in pairs quite close together, and 

 one slightly in advance, the pairs two or three 

 feet apart. In deep snow they are sometimes in 

 groups, separated by much longer intervals. 



The track of a large cat is sometimes mis- 

 taken for that of a fox, but the separate foot- 

 prints of the cat are always shorter and rounder, 

 with the toes gathered together in front and a 

 distinct pad behind, while the footprint of a 

 fox appears to have been made by four pads of 

 equal size, and shows distinctly the marks of the 

 claws in front. And, moreover, the cat's tracks 

 are generally nearer together, and are seldom in a 

 straight line for any great distance. 



April ^, i8gg. When I awoke this morning I 

 heard the barking of a fox not far away, and he 

 continued to bark at intervals all the time I 

 was dressing. On going to the door I saw him 



56 



