92 CARNIVORA. 



" The Arctic Fox is an extremely cleanly animal, being 

 very careful not to dirt those places in which he eats 

 or sleeps. No mipleasant smell is to be perceived even 

 in a male, which is a remarkable circumstance. To 

 come unawares on one of the creatures is, in my 

 opinion, impossible ; for even when in an apparently 

 sound sleep, they open their eyes at the slightest noise 

 which is made near them, although they pay no 

 attention to sounds when at a short distance. The 

 general time of rest is during the daylight, in which 

 they appear listless and inactive ; but the night no 

 sooner sets in than all their faculties are awakened ; 

 they commence their rambles and continue in 

 unceasing and rapid motion till the morning. While 

 hunting for food they are mute, but when in captivit}- 

 or irritated they utter a short growl like a young puppy. 

 It is a singular fact that their bark is so undulated 

 as to give an idea that the animal is at a distance, 

 although at the very moment it lies at your feet." 



P. 87 : " They breed on the sea-coast, and chiefly 

 within the Arctic Circle, forming burrows in sandy 

 spots, ^not solitary like the Bed Fox, but in little 

 villages, twenty to thirty burrows being constructed 

 adjoining each other." 



Elliot informs us : — " That Blue and White Foxes are 

 found on the Pribylov Islands, and find among the 

 countless chinks and crevices in the basaltic formation 

 comfortable holes and caverns for their accommodation 

 and retreat, feeding fat upon sick and pup Seals, as well 

 as water-fowl and eggs, during the summer and autumn, 

 living through the winter on dead Seals left on the 

 rookeries, and their carcases on the killing grounds." 

 (Elliot's " Seal Islands of Alaska.") 



The Arctic Fox preys on the Eider-duck, and destroys 



