MAMMALS CANIDAE VULPES FULVUS. 



127 



List of specimens. 



Catalogue Corresponding Sex & 

 number. No. of skull, \ age. 



Locality. 



When 

 collected. 



Whence obtained. 



Nature of 

 specimen. 



962 



269 



1409 



1430 



2041 



2005 

 1212 

 2256 

 2293 

 3086 



Middleboro, Mass ..I Nov., 1855 



Cleveland, Ohio Mar., 185-1 



Elizabethtown, N. Y j 



Middleboro, Mass i 



Washington, D. C 



J. W. P. Jenks Skin. 



Dr. Ackley !_.do.. 



Dr. S. E. Hale do.. 



J. W. P. Jenks L.do.. 



Dr. Nichols... . Head 



The cross fox is the second marked variety of the red fox of the United States, so called from 

 the presence of a black cross, formed by a dark band along the back, crossed by another on the 

 shoulder. This variety is seldom seen as far south as Pennsylvania, but in northern New York 

 it is not uncommon. In general form it resembles the red variety closely, but is perhaps a little 

 larger, with more bushy tail. The under surfaces of the feet likewise are more densely covered 

 with woolly hair. There is a good deal of yellowish rufous visible on the back and sides, which 

 is quite vivid on the flanks and side of the neck. The upper part of the head, (exclusive of 

 muzzle,) the posterior half of the back, with the outside of the shoulders and thighs, have the 

 basal fur a dusky-brown, darkest on the median line, the long hairs black, with a broad 

 subterminal annulation of yellowish white of a much grayer tint on the head and shoulders, 

 which variegates the color very much. The dorsal region between the shoulders is also similarly 

 marked; but a great preponderance of black almost obscures the lighter colors, and with a 

 similar proportion of black evident at the upper part of the shoulders, causes the appearance of a 

 black cross at this point. The sides of the neck and of the body are pure reddish yellow, the basal 

 fur being nearly white. This color extends towards the median line of the hack, just behind the 

 shoulders, leaving an interval of only a few inches on the middle of the back, and relieving very 

 much the posterior angles of the cross. The muzzle, legs, and under parts generally, including 

 the inside of the limbs, with the convexity of the ears, are black. The long tail-hairs are 

 grayish or yellowish red, and black at their tips, impressing this color on the exterior of the 

 tail ; the tip of the tail, however, is entirely white. 



In several specimens of cross foxes from Fort Dalles, I can see no difference from the one 

 described above from Ogdenshurg, except that the tail is a little longer and fuller. In one there 

 is only a more reddish tinge in the light spaces on the sides. These may possibly belong to V. 

 macrourus. 



List of specimens. 



