66 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 
vigorous and better able to survive adverse climatic or other conditions 
than the females. 
“Except for a few cases, mating, according to my observa- 
Breeding _— tion, 1s confined to the month of March and the first half of 
April. The earliest birth of pups noted by me was May 17, 
the latest June 6. Altogether I have seen 22 litters of new-born foxes. 
The largest of these consisted of 11, the smallest of 5 members. Three 
litters contained 1 white each, three, 2 dead each, and six, 1 dead each. 
These discoveries were made shortly after the young were born and 
before some of them were dry. In all these cases the mother made no 
preparation, but gave birth in slight depressions on the surface of the 
ground. In every case the mother was much concerned by my presence, 
and immediately transferred her young to some subterranean spot in 
the neighbourhood. She removed the dead as well as the living. The 
male consort was not present at any of these births. I am inclined to 
think the mother always gives birth on the surface of the ground, and 
within a day or so transfers the young underground for protection and 
security. 
“As a general thing the young are not observed until about the 
middle of June. They are then of pretty good size and play or feed 
about the mouths of their burrows, on food brought by their parents. 
When the young are thus playing or feeding, one and occasionally two 
old foxes are in the vicinity. These are supposed to be parents when 
two are present; but generally only one, presumably the mother, is 
about and the approach of a person causes the emission of a shrill note 
from her which sends the young scampering under the ground. 
“The number of young seen at the mouths of their burrows 
varies between 1 and 4, according to my observation. Major Clack saw 
12 at the mouth of one warren, but he was under the impression that 
more than one family was represented. During the summer of 1906, 
Mr. Chichester observed daily for many weeks a family of eleven, all 
of which were eventually brought up by the mother. I am inclined 
to consider this litter a very exceptional one. If it were not, we would 
have a great many more foxes at trapping time. 
“The infant mortality, which is very great, takes place shortly 
after birth and is probably attributable to want of nourishment, cold, 
and inclement weather. As soon as the young can eat meat, they thrive 
rapidly and under ordinary conditions reach maturity. 
“On one occasion a native found a family of 12 young that had 
just been born. One he thought was dead and brought it to me, but 
after being in the house ten minutes the little thing showed signs of 
