FAUNA AMERICANA. 87 



tremely bushy ; feet composed of long and thick 

 hairs, of a more or less deep red ; lips, borders of 

 the mouth, lower jaw, anterior of the neck, throat, 

 belly, interior of the thighs, white ; snout red ; be- 

 hind the ears of a black-brown ; feet deep brown 

 before ; tail terminated with black hairs. 



Var. 1. C. alopexj (Linn.) Var. 2. Canis cruci- 

 gera, (Gesner.) 



Habit. This dexterous and cunning animal 

 lives in the woods near the dwellings of man ; 

 during the night committing depredations upon 

 poultry; first killing all within his reach, then 

 carrying them to his hole, or burying them be- 

 neath the leaves ; he also destroys rabbits, and 

 birds, and robs the snares of the hunter, is fond 

 of eggs, milk, and fruit, particularly of grapes, will 

 occasionally attack bee hives, and does not re- 

 fuse fish, insects, &c. The female enters into 

 heat during the winter; produces once a year, 

 five or six at a birth, seldom less than three : the 

 young attain their full growth in about eighteen 

 months. The duration of their life is about four- 

 teen years ; their voice is a species of barking, 

 produced by a reiteration of precipitate similar 

 sounds. The fox emits a disagreealile odour. In 

 cases of extreme danger and surprise these ani- 

 mals have been known to simulate death. 



Inhabit northern and temperate climates of both 

 continents. 



