150 



MAMMALIA — FOX 



THE FOX' 



Is one of the most widely distributed animals, and is found in all the tempe- 

 rate and northern regions of the old and new world. With one exception, 

 the structure of the eye, the organization of the fox and dog are similar. 

 Hence the fox preys by night. He has always been famous for his cunning ; 

 he generally fixes his residence at the edge of a wood, and yet not far re- 

 moved from some cottage or some hamlet. He listens to the crowing of 

 the cock, and the cackling of other domestic fowls : even at a considerable 

 distance he scents them, and seizes his opportunity. If he be able to get 

 into the yard, he begins by levelling all the poultry without remorse. This 

 done, he carries off a part of the spoil, hides it at some convenient distance, 

 and again returns to the charge. Taking off another fowl in the same 

 manner, he hides that also, though not in the same place ; and this method 

 he practises for several times together, till warned by the approach of day, 

 or the noise of the family, he finally retires. The same arts are observed 

 when he finds birds entangled in springs laid for them by the fowler ; with 

 whom the fox, taking care to be beforehand, very expertly snatches the birds 

 out of the snare, conceals them in different places, leaves them there some- 

 times for two or three days, and is never at a loss to recover his hidden 

 treasure. He is equally alert in seizing the young hares and rabbits, before 

 they have strength enough to escape him ; and when the old ones are 

 wounded and fatigued, he is sure to come upon them in the moments of 

 distress, and to show them no mercy. In the same manner he finds 

 out the nests of the paitridge and the quail, and seizes the mother while 



sitting. 



' C. vulpes, Lin. 



