MOUNTAIN FOXES. 109 



a perfect shambles, where every species of native 

 game is represented. Then there comes a time 

 when the playful family is taken by night to 

 the woods or the moor, and here, as harbour 

 offers, they abide till winter. Colonies may 

 not unfrequently be found among the heather ; 

 their vicinity being marked by the heads and 

 wings of Grouse, Curlew, Plover, Dotterel, and 

 Hares. Such a spot is a very paradise of fox- 

 dom, and a perfect training-ground for the cubs. 

 They gambol about at twilight, sending up 

 clouds of fur and feather, evidently quite un- 

 aware that this is the most critical period of 

 their lives. When found under such circum- 

 stances, a stout stick and a couple of dogs soon 

 enable the shepherd to despatch a whole litter ; 

 and he never loses the opportunity. At such 

 times the parents keep at a respectful distance, 

 never attempting to defend their young. 



The extreme beauty of the red mountain-Fox 

 is best seen when his figure is sharply outlined 

 against the snow. How fleetly buoyant he 

 glides along, his brush floating light as air 

 behind him I What grace in his leaps, and 

 litheness in his long, finely drawn limbs! 

 They are perfect masses of muscle. After look- 



