=The Fox= (_Canis vulpes_).
This animal lives in an underground dwelling, which is either dug out by
itself or else is a deserted badger-burrow. It kills roes, fawns, hares,
and game-birds; in farms it preys on poultry and eggs. It never commits
depredations in the neighbourhood of its burrow, for fear of betraying
its hiding-place. Valuable services, however, must be balanced against
the damage mentioned above, for it catches many rabbits, and also an
enormous number of field-voles in the years when these become a pest. It
also often eats insects (_e.g._ cockchafers), worms, and snails. In
fact, the fox is perhaps generally of more use than otherwise to the
farmer and forester.
Family: =Mustelidæ= (_Weasel Family_).
Elongated, slender; legs short; head small and flat; cranium elongated;
tongue smooth. Five toes on each foot, with small, sharp claws. A
tuberculated molar on each side in the upper and lower jaws. The weasels
give out an offensive odour from stink-glands situated near the anus.