FOXES. 1 1 1 



also found in Japan. It is proper to add, liowevor, that while the fact of the same species being 

 found in Japan is not entirely free from doubt, a similar doubt, although one of greatly less 

 weight, apijlies to its absence on the west coast of America. Lewis and Clarke, who, however 

 trustworthy as explorers, can scarcely be cited as authorities in natural history, do state that 

 the red Fox is found on the coast region of Oregon. Dr. Baird, however, has satisfied himself 

 that the species to which they refer is different. 



There is another American fox which possesses some interest in regard to distribution — the 

 small Kit Fox, C. velox, from nearly the very centre of North America, viz. the region about 

 the Nebraska and Missouri district. Its peculiar habitat is the dry desert-like country lying on 

 either side of the Rocky Mountains, extending to the Cascade range on the west, and to the timbered 

 lands of the lower Missouri on the east. In the basin of the Upper Columbia it is more common than 

 any other species. It is said to be possessed of great swiftness, whence its name, but this is now 

 found to have been greatly exaggerated. It is no swifter, indeed it is not so swift as the red or grey 

 Foxes.* This is the nearest approach to the Jackals which occurs in either North or South xVmerica. 

 It is, however, a true Fox. 



Its analogue in the Jackals is the Corsac or xidive, which inhabits similarly elevated regions 

 in Central Asia. It is not qixite so large as the domestic cat, but a little larger than a stoat, 

 and is a very handsome animal, so tliat in the reign of Charles IX. of France it was the 

 fashion for the Parisian ladies to make a pot of it instead of little dogs ; f and it is said 

 to have been then common in Paris, although brought from Asia at great expense. Tlio American 

 C. Velox is a little larger, being about two feet in length. If the central position on highlands 

 iu the heart of the two great continents were anything more than an analogical resemblance, we 

 might apply the phenomena of the glacial epoch to explain their occurrence, but it is not 

 called for. The distinction between the Dogs (that is to say, the Dogs, Wolves, and Jackals) 

 and the Foxes, is too well marked to allow of the circumstance being regarded as more than a co- 

 incidence. 



To this section belongs the Zcrda or Fennec from North Africa, which Mr. Tristram describes as 

 an amiable and interesting pet. J 



Prince Charles Lucian Bonaparte described a Fox from Italj', under the name of Caxis 

 MELANOGASTEK. He considered it to resemble the American C. fblvus more nearly than any other 

 Fox, II but it is not generally accepted as more than a variety of our common Fox. The limits of its 

 habitat are not yet very exactly defined, but woidd appear to comprise the northern half of the 



* Newberry, in " United States' Pacific Railroad Es- size of a cat, it has all the wiles and actions of a fox ; and 



ploration," 1856. when alarmed by the sight of a stranger will run under a 



t CHEis'nE, "Encycl. d' Hist. Nat." Carniv. vol. ii. p. 75. chair or into a corner, and vociferously give forth its tiny 



1853. bark. My little favourites were fed on milk and morsels of 



I "This little animal burrows througliout the whole of meat, but showed great fondness for dates. The large ears 



the rolling sand deserts which extend from Warcgla to and long bushy tail of this lovely creature give it somewhat 



Souf, in the north of Africa. We used to see them brought the appearance of a squirrel." — Tkistr.vm, H. B., The 



into market by the Arab boys at Waregla, Tuggurt, and Qrcat Sahara, p. 38.3, 1860. 



Souf. I had two for some months which became very || " Iconographia della Fauna Italica," di Carlo Luciano 



tame, and nestled every night by my side. No pet can Bonaparte, Principe de Musignano, Fol. Kome, 1837. 

 rival the Feuucc in grace and interest. Not above lialf the 



