104 ihe Fox 
now no mystery, a den of foxes being less than a 
quarter of a mile away. Such being the case, I 
began at once to cultivate the acquaintance of the 
family. In the parents I expected to find the ordinary 
red-fox variety, so common about the region; but 
one of them was extremely dark in color. | 
The entrance to the den looked like a very large 
woodchuck’s burrow, save that it bore evidence of 
more constant use, and that scattered about were bits 
of fur and feathers of various kinds. 
The first time I visited the burrow I did not see 
any foxes. After this, whenever I was near the bur- 
row the darker colored of the old foxes was usually 
to be seen on a knoll not far away, sitting dog-fashion 
and occasionally uttering a sharp bark. I seldom 
saw the red fox, which I supposed to be the male, 
unless a dog accompanied me. In that case the 
darker fox would retire and the red one would come 
closer, apparently inviting the dog to a chase. How- 
ever, since the dog was not a fox hound, he would 
soon return, only to be provoked again by the near 
approach of the fox. I watched this most interesting 
strategy several times, but not being entirely satisfied, 
I chose a hound instead of a shepherd dog and, keep- 
ing firm hold upon the chain, I approached the den, 
resolved to study the situation, until I could ascer- 
