150 CANIDiE. 



slowly or hunting for food ; horizontal when running ; and raised 

 almost erect when making a sudden turn. 



This fox is found throughout India, rare in the forest countries, very 

 abundant in open country. At night it often comes into cantonments 

 and gai-dens, but does not appear to molest poultry in general. Mr. Elliot 

 says : " Its principal food is rats, landcrabs, grasshoppers, beetles, &c. &c. 

 On one occasion a half-devoured mango was found in the stomach. It 

 always burrows in the open plains, runs with great speed, doubling like 

 a hare ; but instead of stretching out at first like that animal, and 

 trvisting to its turns as a last resource, the fox turns more at first, and 

 if it can fatigue the dogs, it then goes straight away." 



The burrow which this fox makes has always several openings con- 

 verging towards the centre, some of them blind, others leading towards 

 a larger central one, where the animal breeds. This is often two or 

 three feet below the surface. The burrow is usually situated quite in 

 the open plain, now and then in some thorny scrub. In alluvial jilains, 

 the fox takes advantage of any small rise in the ground, to prevent its 

 den being flooded in the rains ; and its burrow is frequently found on 

 bunds of tanks and other artificial mounds. I have on two occasions 

 run foxes to holes in old trees, which, from the marks round one of 

 them, had evidently been occupied by the animal for long. 



Lizards are a favourite food with the Fox, as well as rats, crabs, and 

 various insects, white ants, &c., and it habitually eats melons, ber fruit, 

 and others ; now and then pods and shoots of Cicer arietinum, and other 

 hei'bs. I have seen it hunting quail, and it doubtless occasionally kills 

 young birds, and eats eggs. 



Foxes couple according to locality from November to Januaiy and 

 the female brings forth almost always four cubs from February to April. 

 At this seas(m the female is rarely to be met with after sunrise, and the 

 cubs are veiy seldom seen outside their earth till nearly fully grown. 



This fox is much coursed with greyhounds in many parts of India, and 

 with Arab or country dogs, or half-bred English dogs, it gives a most 

 excellent course, doubling in a most dexterous manner, and if it is within 

 a short distance of its earth, racing the dogs. With good English dogs it 

 stands little chance. Its numerous earths prevent in general much sport 

 being had in hunting it with foxhounds, and its scent is poor. 



If taken young, this fox is easily tamed, and it shows a very playful 

 and frolicsome disposition ; but it is very generally asserted that tame 



