128 U. Ss. P. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS—ZOOLOGY—GENERAL REPORT. 
Black Fox.—The color here is a uniform lustrous black, with a distinct white tip to the tail. 
On the top and sides of the head, however, and on the posterior half of the back, including the 
outside of the thighs, the long hairs are grayish-silvery at the end, (the extreme tips black,) 
grizzling the back very conspicuously. The same feature is observable at the base of the tail 
and to some distance on its sides; it is also seen slightly on the shoulders. The under fur is of 
a sooty color, not very dark, however, and becoming lighter on the sides of the neck and 
flanks. 
Inst of specimens. 
T 
Catalogue | Sex & Locality. When Whence obtained. | Original | Nature of 
number. | age. collected. | number. | specimen. 
| 
LC See Fort Dalles, Oregon-.--.----- April, 1855 | Dr. George Suckley.--------- 67 Skin. -2-- 
LOO bees Bacecsee Gost Gua oeaseneenees Jane, 1850) |Se-—- eo GO opeseS sso {= Se Pe ee 
1190 ©. | Des Chutes Valley-.---.-.--- 1855 Lt. Williamson, collected by |--------~==|-22 2-40. 
Dr. J. 8. Newberry. 
In the only one of the above specimens (1190) in which the feet are entire, the soles are much 
less densely furred than in the cross foxes, and more nearly resembling the red fox of the eastern 
States in this respect. It is by no means certain that these specimens are not black varieties of 
the Vulpes macrourus. 
Measurements of specimens of different varieties. 
Current | Nose to root | Tail to end.of| Tail to end Width of Ears 
number. of tail. | vertebra. of hairs. hairs. posteriorly. 
RED. Inches. Inches. Inches. Inches. Inches. 
962 24 124 17 iy Nia ae ets a ee 
1388 28 13} POLE le Se | A aout 
4591 95 Somewhat 18 Gun jee utes 
458} 24 lesen naan 16 GR pry amet on tiaa 
457} S| eee eee ges 174 i) Sp (emoremeeore, = ed 
' Catalogued under the head of Vulpes macrourus. 
