FOX. 
267 
in the inferior ranks of animated nature, the taking 
possession of a home supposes a degree of instinct 
which others are without. The choice of the 
situation for this domicil, the art of making it 
convenient, of hiding its entrance, and securing 
it against more powerful animals, are all so many 
marks of superior skill and industry. The fox is 
furnished with both, and turns them to his advan- 
tage. He generally keeps his kennel at the edge 
of the wood, and yet within an easy journey of 
some neighbouring cottage. From thence he 
listens to the crowing of the cock, and the cack- 
ling of the domestic fowls. He scents them at a 
distance ; he seizes his opportunity, conceals his 
approaches, creeps slily along, makes the attack* 
and seldom returns without his booty. If he be 
able to get into the yard, he begins by levelling 
all the poultry without remorse, and carrying off 
a part of the spoil, hides it at some convenient 
distance, and again returns to the charge. Taking 
off another fowl in the same manner, he hides that 
also, but not in the same place; and this he 
practises for several times together, until the ap- 
proach of day, or the noise of the domestics, give 
him warning to retire. The same arts are prac- 
tised when he finds birds entangled in springes 
laid for them by the fow ler ; the fox takes care 
to be before-hand, very expertly takes the bird out 
of the snare, hides it for three or four days, and 
knows very exactly when and where to return to 
avail himself of hidden treasure. He is equally 
alert in seizing the young hares and rabbits before 
they have strength enough to escape him, and when 
the old ones are wounded and fatigued, he is sure 
to come upon them in their moments of distress, 
and to show them no mercy. In the same manner 
he finds out birds’ nests, seizes the partridge and 
the quail while sitting, and destroys a Urge quau*? 
