AMERICAN RED FOX. 
269 
but the Fox often gets away, as the underbrush is thick and a good 
deal of the ground swampy, and in that case he makes for a large 
rocky hill which stands in the Newark marshes, familiarly known as 
RdUle-snake hill. When running across the low level to this strong - 
hold the Fox is frequently seen by the whole company of hunters, and the 
chase is lengthened out to a run of many miles, as Reynard will turn 
again toward the high ridges nearer the Hudson River. 
We will give an an account of one of these hunts as related by some 
ymung friends, who having two fine harriers (to contribute their share of 
dogs to the pack,) were gladly hailed by the other gentlemen in the field. 
“After some beating about among the thickets and ravines, we found 
the dogs had strayed away down the side of the hills nearly to the level 
of the marshes, and raising our horn to call them up, observed that they 
were running toward a cur-dog that appeared to have come from some- 
where in them; we immediately gave a loud halloo, and urged all 
the hounds to the chase. The cur turned tail at once, the whole pack 
“opened” after him in full cry, and all the hunters came running forth 
from the woods to the brow of the hill, whence we had a view of the 
whole scene. The cur looked a good deal like a Fox, at a distance, and 
most of the hunters thought he was one “ certain,” he shewed good bot- 
tom, took several leaps over the .stone walls and fences, and dodged about 
and round patches of briars and rocks with extraordinary agility, until 
he got fairly off towards his home, when he positively “streaked it,” until, 
to the utter amazement of the hunters, he jumped on to a wall enclosing 
a small farm yard, and disappeared within, immediately setting up a loud 
bark of defiance, while some of the hunters who had expressed most 
confidence, were loudly laughed at by their comrades, who banteringly 
asked what they would take for their dogs, &c., and broke out in fresh 
roars of merriment.” 
The Red Fox is taken in traps, but is so very wary that it is necessary 
to set them with great nicety. 
Dr. Riciiardsox tells us that the best fox hunters in the fur countries 
use assafoetida, caxtoreum, and other strong smelling substances, with 
which they rub their trap.s and the small twigs set up in the neigh- 
bourhood, alleging that Foxes are fond of such perfumes. 
The same author informs us that their flesh is ill tasted, and is eaten 
only through necessity. 
Red Foxes have gradually migrated from the Northern to the South- 
ern States. This change of habitation may possibly be owing to the 
more extensive cultivation to which we have alluded, (at p. 205, in this 
■article,) as a reason for this species having become more numerous than 
