48 Cubs
The humanitarians, who make periodic complaints about the dates for the close seasons, have perhaps some grounds against those packs of foxhounds which begin cub-hunting in late summer. For example : one midland pack had already killed forty-eight cubs before the middle of October. The first of the victims must have been cubs indeed. One reason doubtless for this surprising turn is that foxes have grown strangely numerous, much more numerous than the local poultry-keepers wished. The contrast in this aspect between different parts of the country has been astonishing. Foxes were altogether exterminated in some districts of Pembroke-. shire, in spite of the natural wildness of the country, and in districts north of London where the enemy was the game- preserver. • In both these regions foxes were artificially rein- troduced. On the other hand, foxes have been seen lately within the very circle of London, and the population is very large in districts as remote as Galloway and Warwickshire.
W. BEACH THOM-AS.
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