l6o PATAGONIAN EXPEDITIONS: ZOOLOGY. 



This little carnivore, while commonly called a fox, belongs more properly 

 to the lupine or thooid series of Canidae than to the vulpine or alopecoid 

 series. Not only is its structure wolf-like rather than fox-like, but its habits 

 are also decidedly more similar to those of the wolves than of the foxes. It 

 is both nocturnal and diurnal, not at all shy and easily approached. These 

 animals are of an extremely playful and mischievous disposition, but with- 

 out any of the cunning which, by common consent, has been ascribed to 

 the foxes. At times their actions and deportment are not unlike those 

 of a half-grown shepherd dog. They are extremely fond of rawhide or 

 leather, and when by any chance articles made of either were left about 

 camp within their reach for any length of time, such articles were sure to 

 be found in an entirely ruined condition. This necessitated our placing 

 everything beyond their reach when not in actual use. On one occasion 

 I loaned my saddle and bridle and the borrower, on returning them in 

 the evening, was not careful to place the latter in a safe place. As a con- 

 sequence when I next wanted to use it, I found only the bit and buckles; 

 the reins and headpieces, which were made of California red leather, were 

 cut up into bits each not more than an inch in length. The damage 

 wrought by these little animals would seem to be due to an inherent 

 spirit for wanton and mischievous destruction rather than a search for 

 food. It was never safe to picket a horse with a rope made of rawhide 

 or a long tie strap made of leather, since either might be found cut to 

 bits by these animals. 



"They live in shallow burrows, among bushes and in the crevices of 

 the rocks, where such are to be found. They seem to be chiefly scavengers, 

 living for the most part upon the carcasses of dead sheep, guanaco, and 

 other animals. They undoubtedly prey on smaller mammals and on 

 the eggs and young of birds, when the latter are in season. Their fur is 

 abundant, of a soft quality and rather light gray color over most of the 

 body." (Hatcher, /. c, pp. 68, 69.) 



The following from Mr. Prichard's "Through the Heart of Patagonia" 

 (pp. 258, 259) interestingly supplements the foregoing from Brown and 

 Hatcher: 



"To the east of the Andes, the pampa fox is to be met with practically 

 everywhere. There are two varieties of foxes upon the pampa. The 

 common pampa variety is a most inveterate thief, and causes endless 

 trouble to travellers by eating all and anything that the wind may blow 



