MAMMALS—CANIDAE—VULPES FULVUS. 127 
List of specimens. 
Catalogue | Corresponding | Sex & Locality. When Whence obtained. Nature of 
number. | No. of skull. | age. | collected. specimen. 
| 
| Pipi tnslne Mim epebeal P| acme eer 
962 2005 TL oue: Middleboro, Mass_----.-.-- INOVs. [800n|"us Wb JenkRee- cone eee Ski, o2-5-5 
269 PN te a Cleveland, Ohio -.--------- Mar., 1854 | Dr. Ackley .....-----_-- \sqoueaeseene= 
1409 | 2256 (aes Elizabethtown, N. Y..--.-- | Le See ee | Dr. S. E. Hale -----_..__ Pets lyse ee 
1430 2293 | © .| Middleboro, Mass-...--.--- |Sestoackcaeae | aieW: P)Jenks e252 222. \Szdoseseseree 
2041 al Be | Washington, D: C. =.------ | Ele sets Drs Nichols! =22see ees |niiewars ees 
| 
The cross fox is the second marked variety of the red fox of the United States, so called from 
the presence of a black cross, formed by a dark band along the back, crossed by another on the 
shoulder, This variety is seldom seen as far south as Pennsylvania, but in northern New York 
itis not uncommon. In general form it resembles the red variety closely, but is perhaps a little 
larger, with more bushy tail. The under surfaces of the feet likewise are more densely covered 
with woolly hair. There is a good deal of yellowish rufous visible on the back and sides, which 
is quite vivid on the flanks and side of the neck. The upper part of the head, (exclusive of 
muzzle,) the posterior half of the back, with the outside of the shoulders and thighs, have the 
basal fur a dusky-brown, darkest on the median line, the long hairs black, with a broad 
subterminal annulation of yellowish white of a much grayer tint on the head and shoulders, 
which variegates the color very much. The dorsal region between the shoulders is also similarly 
marked; but a great preponderance of black almost obscures the lighter colors, and with a 
similar proportion of black evident at the upper part of the shoulders, causes the appearance of a 
black cross at this point. The sides of the neck and of the body are pure reddish yellow, the basal 
fur being nearly white. This color extends towards the median line of the back, just behind the 
shoulders, leaving an interval of only a few inches on the middle of the back, and relieving very 
much the posterior angles of the cross. The muzzle, legs, and under parts generally, including 
the inside of the limbs, with the convexity of the ears, are black. The long tail-hairs are 
grayish or yellowish red, and black at their tips, impressing this color on the exterior of the 
tail; the tip of the tail, however, is entirely white. 
In several specimens of cross foxes from Fort Dalles, I can see no difference from the one 
described above from Ogdensburg, except that the tail isa little longer and fuller. In one there 
is only a more reddish tinge in the light spaces on the sides. These may possibly belong to V. 
macrourus. 
List of specimens. 
Catalogue Locality. | When Whence obtained. Original 
number. | collected. number. 
—————— ———— | ————<—<<<<<—.____ 
79 Ogdensburg, Nw) Waesenueess a-2e 9-252 feed sebees ids Wray Guestss = 35 tek crs fee Le ite Seed te 
1019 MorbuDalles / Or ee oe ee = eee | Jan., 1855 | Dr. George Suckley_.....----..------ 57 
HPL) ae (a Ce ee se eee |----- does = =| 2= 205 = GO meee se atte ea 58 
