GRAY FOX 



plains or prairie dweller, spending rather more of its time in 

 burrows and is less cunning than its red relative. Its general 

 habits are somewhat modified from those of the Red Fox be- 

 cause it is an open country animal, but the details of its 

 family life are about the same. 



The fur of the Red Fox and its color phases. Cross, Silver, 

 and Black, is very valuable and one of the favorites of the fur 

 trade. Prime Silver or Black Foxes fetch very high prices and 

 are successfully reared on fox farms or ranches. The pelt of 

 the Kit Fox is not so valuable and does not command a very 

 good figure. 



Foxes have several calls, the commonest a short yapping 

 bark, given by Seton as "yap-yurr," a long yell, and a shrill 

 squall uttered by the female in the mating season. 



Genus Urocyon 

 Dentition: Incisors, f ; Canines, {; Premolars, f ; Molars, f = 42. 



Gray Fox.— Urocyon cinereoargenteus 



and related forms 

 Names.— Gray Fox; Colishe; Tree Pox. Plate XIII. 

 General Description.— Typically fox-like in appearance- 

 muzzle fairly long; ears erect; tail long, bushy, and with a 



:^IG. 34. Tail of Gray Fox, with hair parted to show con- 

 cealed mane of stiff hairs 



»ncealed mane of stiff hairs; soles of feet furry; pupil of eye 

 dliptical. 



Color.— Sexes colored alike and color pattern not varying 

 Quch with season, variation consisting chiefly in longer pelage 

 a wmter and slightly brighter shades in fresh pelage. 



143 



