Proceedings - Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society Volume 24 baixar o livro de graça

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1903 Excerpt: ... of Cranborne Chase," records marten-cats as one of the sort of animals hunted there, but believes them (1816) to be nearly extinct, their skins being too valuable for them to be allowed to exist. In 1836 one was caught alive near Stock House by the Rev. H. F. Yeatman's hounds, but, biting the huntman's hounds severely, it was kept alive for some little time. Pine Marten, Martes abietum. One was shot near the Down House, Blandford, by Sir John Smith's keeper in 1844. The British specimens formerly referred to Martes foina, are the same as Martes abietum or, as Lydekker names it, Mustela martes. Family CANID.E. Genus VULPES. Fox, Vulpes vulgaris. This animal has been celebrated from the earliest antiquity for the cunning and ingenuity which it manifests, whether in obtaining food or in eluding pursuit. It is a great enemy to the farmer, as it steals his poultry and lambs, and, owing to the sport it affords, his land is cut up, his crops injured, his gates broken, and numerous gaps made in his hedges. The first pack of foxhounds established in Dorsetshire was by Thomas Fownes, Esq., of Steepleton, about the year 1750. One of the longest runs was on December 19th, 1849, when a fox was found at Minterne and killed at Bridehead. The distance from point to point was about 15 miles, and the ground traversed by the hounds not less than 25 miles, done in two hours and a fraction. In 1843 no less than 174 foxes were killed by Mr. Farquharson's hounds and 31 driven to earth. In the 20 years he hunted the county (1837-1857) 2,688 foxes were killed and 6,244 driven to earth. When hard pressed, foxes will sometimes climb ivy-covered trees, such as those in Sherborne Park. A lot more might be written about foxes and foxhunting, but it would be beyond the scope of thi...