THE LIFE OF A FOX. 13

in vain to gnaw a hole for my escape, I set about
making all the noise I could, which, the night
being still, reached the ears of my mother, who
quickly came and helped me with her teeth to
finish the work which I had nines and so “<
got out and away. |

Having thus suffered for my boldness, I
scarcely ever ventured out of the covert till dark,*
or nearly so; generally, indeed, I remained in
my kennel the whole of the day, unless I had not
been fortunate in procuring food the night before.
I have seen a female fox, when she had young
ones, moving about earlier in the afternoon;
otherwise it is contrary to our habits to do so.
Night is more dear to us than day, and the
tempest suits our plans; for man is then disposed
to keep quiet, and we venture more boldly to
approach his dwellings in search of stray poultry,
which are to be found abroad, not having been
driven into the hen-roost, owing to the neglect
of their owners. |

I resolved to accompany my mother in future

as_much as possible in her excursions, that I