THE FOX. 
361 
invariably white. For some unknown rea¬ 
son, the fox is apt to pull out this white tip. 
Like the other foxes, they are patient and 
cunning, and show an extraordinary degree 
of sagacity in escaping from their enemies. 
They are very destructive to game and 
poultry, and in this country are destroyed 
without mercy. In England they are hunted 
by dogs and men on horseback. The fox- 
chase is considered one of the most exciting 
of British sports; and large packs of hounds 
and stables of fine horses are kept up at an 
immense expense for this purpose. Some¬ 
times lives are lost and many valuable 
horses are killed or ruined in these exercises. 
The poor fox, upon his part, has every thing 
to contend with. Sometimes he makes his 
escape in spite of all; and it is said that the 
foxes of England, from being so frequently 
hunted, become wonderfully sagacious. A 
story is told of one near Reading which 
had been partly tamed and taught to turn 
a spit by means of a wheel. As usual, he 
escaped after a time, and resumed his wild 
habits; but one day, being hard pressed by 
the hounds, and seeing the door of his old 
kitchen open, be sprang in, took his place 
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