94 THE COMMON FOX. 



sented by 100. that of another will be 170, the length of the tail and 

 ears remaining much more constant. The English Fox may not only 

 vary in general colour, but even the characteristic white end to the 

 " brush " may be absent, the end of the tail being black or dark grey. 

 Bell records that an individual taken in Warwickshire had all the under- 

 parts of a greyish-black hue, thus resembling the Italian variety which 

 Bonaparte distinguished by the name melanog aster, on account of the 

 black fur existing on the abdomen ; and Dr. Edward Hamilton brought, 

 with him from the Ardennes * an example of this form, which has also 

 been described by Nilsson as existing in Scandinavia. But a careful and 

 detailed criticism made by Dr. Csesar Lepori f must, we think, suffice 

 to convince every reader, of the specific identity of these two forms. 

 The differences which are to be found in our own island and in Europe 

 being thus so considerable, it is not wonderful that others should also 

 exist in the Foxes of Northern Asia, Africa, and America. Something 

 more, then, than differences of tint and small variations in markings is 

 needed to justify our acceptance of any form, which is only peculiar in 

 such respects, as the representatives of a distinct species. 



The habits of the English Fox are so well known that we feel we 

 might almost be dispensed from saying anything here on so trite a 

 subject. Still to some readers the few following words may not be 

 altogether superfluous. 



Like some of the animals we have already described, the Fox will 

 occasionally make use of the burrow of a badger or a rabbit, though 

 commonly excavating its own earth. It will also repose, away from its 

 burrow, in woods or under the shelter of banks or hedges, and has even 

 been known to make its nest in an old straw-rick, a situation which 

 may have been convenient for farmyard depredations. 



Foxes with us bring forth in April, and have about from four to 

 six young in a litter. Gestation lasts between sixty and sixty -four days. 



As every one knows, the Fox preys upon poultry when it has the 

 chance, and also on partridges, pheasants, hares, rabbits, eggs, rats and 



* See Proc. Zool. Soc. 1869, p. 247. 



t See ' Atti della SocieU Italiana di Scienze Natural:,' vol. xxiv. p. 252 (Milan, 

 1881). 



