HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 277 



practice in many places to tie up a bitch that is in feafon, 

 where fhe maybe vifited by a Fox, and be impregnated 

 by him. The fruits of the connection are fufficiently ob- 

 vious : Moft, if not all the puppies, have a ftrong refem- 

 blance to the Fox : The fharp nofe, prick ears, long bo- 

 dy, and fhort legs of the Fox, evidently point out their 

 origin. — Thefe dogs are highly efteemed by farmers and 

 graziers, as the moft ufeful kind for driving cattle. 

 They bite keenly; are extremely active and playful ; and 

 are very expert at deftroying weafels, rats, and other ver- 

 min. 



The Fox fleeps much during the day; but the night is 

 its feafon of activity, and the time when it roams about 

 in fearch of prey. — It will eat flefh of any kind ; but pre- 

 fers that of hares, rabbits, poultry, and all kinds of birds. 

 Thofe that refide near the fea coafts will, for want of 

 other food, eat crabs, fhrimps, mufcles, and other fhell- 

 fifli. 



In France and Italy, the Fox does great damage among 

 the vineyards, by feeding on the grapes, of which it is 



extremely fond. It boldly attacks the wild bees, and 



frequently robs them of their {lore ; but not with impu- 

 nity : The whole fwarm flies out, and fallens upon the 

 invader ; but he retires only for a few minutes, and rids 

 himfelf of the bees by rolling upon the ground ; by which 

 means he cruflies fuch as (lick to him, and then returns 

 to his charge, and devours both wax and honey. 



The cunning of the Fox in furprifing and fecuring its 

 prey is equally remarkable. When it has acquired more 

 than it can devour, its flrft care is to fecure what it has 

 killed, which is generally all within its reach. It digs 

 holes in different places, where it conceals its booty by 



S 3 



