42 TEXT-BOOK OF ZOOLOGY 



to fear from dogs or men, it will even hunt by day. The presence of 

 tactile hairs on the upper lip is in relation to this nocturnal mode of 

 life, for on perfectly dark nights the sense of touch does duty for that of 

 sight. 



3. From its rather short legs and slender, flexible body it appears not 

 to be so accomplished a runner as its cousin, the wolf, but rather given to 

 creeping. Gliding along the ground noiselessly like a snake, it gets as 

 close as it possibly can to its victim. At the same time its legs are 

 sufficiently long and powerful to enable it to perform a fast and prolonged 

 run. In this it is aided by the long bushy tail, which acts as an aerial 

 rudder (see also squirrel) ; it is a master hand at " doubling." The long 

 hind-limbs aid it in leaping. It is also an excellent swimmer, and able 

 to wade through swamps and bogs. It can even climb up sloping trees. 

 Thus its movements are manifold. As it does not chase its prey, but 

 rather takes it by surprise, it never hunts in packs. 



4. For the teeth, see Wolf, A. 5. 



5. Conscious of its weakness in relation to men, dogs (and wolves), 

 the fox is obliged to seek a safe hiding-place in holes and recesses under- 

 ground. In making its home it uses its fore-limbs, which have strong 

 claws, as shovels. It selects for its home a place between the roots of 

 old trees. In order to be able to escape easily when danger threatens, 

 it digs several passages to its resting-place. It is fond, too, of establishing 

 itself in heaps of brushwood, abandoned badger-holes and similar places. 

 Its hiding-places provide it with excellent shelter during great heat, 

 heavy rains, storm or great cold. Here, too, the female brings forth her 

 young from four to seven in number which she nurtures with great 

 affection. In front of their hole they are carefully instructed in all the 

 tricks of their future vocation. 



6. Though many other beasts of prey far excel the fox in strength 

 and other physical qualities, it can easily hold its own with any of them 

 in intellect and sagacity. Observe with what caution it proceeds on its 

 predatory excursions, making use of every possible cover to hide its 

 presence. With what slyness and cunning it contrives to escape dogs 

 and hunters. Even when hotly pursued it does not lose its presence oj 

 mind. Patient and motionless it remains when in ambush. If it feels 

 sure of safety, it will boldly make its appearance in the poultry-yard even 

 in broad daylight, and kill more than it can consume. It cleverly 

 manages to avoid traps and snares. 



7. The food of the fox consists chiefly of mice, as many as thirty or 

 forty of these rodents having been found in the stomach of one of these 

 animals. In the spring, however, when the number of mice falls short 

 of satisfying its numerous progeny, it turns its attention to larger spoil. 



