TttE FOX. 329 



a call from the master, one of the hounds take the Fox in his 

 mouth and commence a vigorous swim to the opposite side 

 (which he reached after a little difficulty, being several times 

 "ducked" by his brethren), and safely deposit the Fox at his 

 master's feet.* 



As possessing "a head for country" — a gift denied to many 

 of those who ride in' pursuit— the Fox has an established reputa- 

 tion. He will be turned from his point time after time, run 

 short for an hour at a stretch, and yet, as soon as circumstances 

 allow, will go straight away from his original point, unless he 

 should happen to go back to the place at which he was found. A 

 Fox has been known to return seventy miles to his " earth," and 

 this not once, but three times. He was caught in Yorkshire, 

 and sent into Lancashire to be hunted by the hounds of the late 

 Mr. Fitzherbert Brockholes, of Claughton Hall, Garstang, and 

 his identity was established by his having been marked in the 

 ear by the Fox-catcher. This story I had from my friend Capt. 

 F. H. Salvin, who was living in Yorkshire at the time, and 

 was well acquainted with Mr. Brockholes, who gave him all the 

 details. 



The nature of their bringing up exercises a great influence on 

 their style of running. Exmoor and Dartmoor Foxes — all moun- 

 tain Foxes, in fact — have a long way to travel for their food, and 

 this gives them, besides a wide knowledge of country, the best of 

 condition. Next comes the woodland Fox ; and, last of all, the 

 Fox bred and nurtured in small gorses, whose knowledge of 

 country is confined to his own parish. When any Fox is found, 

 the most natural course for him to take is the one he has been 

 accustomed to tread in his search for food, and the wider it is the 

 further he will go. When forced out of his country, he has 

 nothing but speed and stamina to depend upon for safety. 

 Earths, drains, and woodlands are unknown to him, and there 

 is nothing for him but to go straight. When hounds run a bag- 

 fox, he often takes them straight for the same reason. 



It would be too much to assert that Foxes do no harm in 

 game-preserves ; but it is doubtful if they do half the damage 

 laid at their door, that is to say, if the keeper does his duty 

 properly. The breeding season of the birds is the time when 



* ' The Field,' Dec. 18th, 1880. 



