<h2><SPAN name="THE_FOX" id="THE_FOX"></SPAN>THE FOX.</h2>
<p>"A sly dog."</p>
<p>Somehow people always say
that when they see a Fox. I'd
rather they would call me that
than stupid, however. Do I
look stupid in my picture?</p>
<p>"Look pleasant," said the man
when taking my photograph for
Birds, and I flatter myself I did—and
intelligent, too. Look at
my brainy head, my delicate
ears—broad below to catch every
sound, and tapering so sharply
to a point that they can shape
themselves to every wave of
sound. Note the crafty calculation
and foresight of my low,
flat brow, the resolute purpose
of my pointed nose; my eye deep
set—like a robber's—my thin
cynical lips, and mouth open
from ear to ear. You couldn't
find a better looking Fox if you
searched the world over.</p>
<p>I can leap, crawl, run, and
swim, and walk so noiselessly
that even the dead leaves won't
rustle under my feet. It takes
a deal of cunning for a Fox to
get along in this world, I can
tell you. I'd go hungry if I
didn't plan and observe the
habits of other creatures. For
instance: I love Fish. When I
want one for my supper off I
trot to the nearest stream, and
standing very quiet, watch till I
spy a nice, plump trout in the
clear water. A leap, a snap, and
it is all over with Mr. Trout.</p>
<p>Another time I feel as though
I'd like a crawfish. I see one
snoozing by his hole near the
water's edge. I drop my fine,
bushy tail into the water and
tickle him on the ear. That
makes him furious—nobody
likes to be wakened from a nap
that way—and out he darts at
the tail; snap go my jaws, and
Mr. Crawfish is crushed in them,
shell and all.</p>
<p>Between you and me, I consider
that a very clever trick,
too. Don't you?</p>
<p>Summer is my favorite season
of the year. How I love the
green fields, the ripening grain,
the delicious fruits, for then the
Rabbits prick up their long ears,
and thinking themselves out of
danger, run along the hillside;
then the quails skulk in the
wheat stubble, and the birds hop
and fly about the whole day long.
I am very fond of Rabbits,
Quails, and other Birds. They
make a very satisfactory meal.
For dessert I have only to sneak
into an orchard and eat my fill
of apples, pears, and grapes.
You perceive I have very good
reason for liking the summer.
It's the merriest time of the year
for me, and my cubs. They
grow fat and saucy, too.</p>
<hr class="chap" />
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</SPAN></span></p>
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