OCR Text |
Show PECULIAR FEATURE OF VIXEN Like Other Predaceous Creatures They Do Not Disturb Game Near Breeding Haunts. There Is a very peculiar feature In connection with all predaceous creatures, crea-tures, both furred and feathered, when breeding, and it is that they do not appear to interfere with gamf near their breeding haunts. Even a vixen will leave the earth containing her cubs, pass right through rabbits feeding near, and never make an attempt to catch one. although half a mile distant she will chase down an unfortunate rabbit and return with It to her youngsters This habit of the fox is pointed out as a proof of the animal's cunning and her desire to curry favor with the owners of game and poultry near her nursery, for were she to commit extensive depredations there the losses loss-es she occasioned would be resented and she and her youngsters would soon be destroyed. However, the vixen's motive foi leaving things around her earth untouched un-touched is not that with which she is credit'ed; were she to make a clear ance there little would be left for her cubs when they commence to hunt on their own acount, and it is untouched for their benefit. When the cubs are able to wander a little from the earth there is a speedy disappearance of the rabbits etc., near, rendered all the more rapid because the vixen has passed among them and they have grown to ignore foxes. The active cubs give them a rude awakening. It Is the Instinct of mother moth-er love which induces a vixen to re serve provender close by for hei cubs. |