82 BULLETIN NO. VII. 



Urocyon cinero-argentatus SCHREB, 



Vulpes virginianus AUCT. 



It is questionable whether the frequent accounts of gray 

 foxes in Minnesota do not rest on mistaken identification. At 

 any rate, this species is rather a southern animal, being the 

 most abundant form in Virginia, westward to Arizona and Cali- 

 fornia. 



The size is that of the red fox, though the proportions are 

 more robust. The prevailing color is a clear gray, darkest 

 dorsally. The sides are more or less tawny or fulvous, muzzle 

 with black band, under surface of head, white. The tip of the 

 ail is blackish. The most remarkable character is that already 

 referred to by which this genus has been called that of mane- 

 tailed foxes. 



The gray fox is a woodland animal and does not form ex- 

 tended burrows. It is said to climb with some degree of agil- 

 ity. It, therefore, is first to be driven out by the advance of 

 civilization. Indeed it is more easily eradicated from its fail- 

 ure to take to the earth. 



