APPENDIX. 493 



as beasts of draught, being stronger than the ordinary 



dog. 



The common colour of the American wolf is grey 

 {Lupus griseus), changing to white in the higher latitudes, 

 durino- the winter ; but black individuals (Lupus ater), 

 dusky ones (Lupus mcbilus), and pied ones (Lupus sticte), 

 are also met with occasionally. A small wolf, which 

 differs somewhat in its habits from the common one, 

 frequents the plains of the Saskatchewan and Missouri 

 in great numbers; and has been described as a dis- 

 tinct species, under the name of the Prairie wolf (Lupus 

 latrans). 



The American Fox. Vulpes fulvus. F. B. A. 1. 



p. 98. 



This fox differs remarkably from its European repre- 

 sentative in its fur forming a very valuable article of 

 trade, particularly the black variety ; a single skin being 

 worth from twenty to thirty guineas in some years. The 

 " cross " and " silver " foxes are also much prized, 

 though they differ from the common red or tawny variety 

 in the colour more than in the quality of their fur. This 

 species inhabits the wooded districts only, and hunts 

 much on the borders of lakes for the mice, lemmings, 

 and small birds, on which it preys. 



The Kit-fox. Vulpes cinereo-argentatus. F. B. A. 1. 



p. 98. 



The diminutive kit-fox, similar in its habits and 

 appearance to the corsac of Asia, inhabits the prairie 

 lands of the Saskatchewan, Missouri, and Columbia. 

 This is the smallest of the North-American foxes. Its 

 fur is of little value. 



