CANIS LAGOPUS. 113 



considered somewhat rare on the northern part of Grinnell Land. The 

 northern specimens did not differ in size from those killed further 

 south. 



The Esquimaux take this Fox in traps of a very ingenious kind, 

 which have been thus described by Captain Parry : " They consist of 

 a small circular arched hut, built of stones, having a square aperture at 

 the top, but quite close and secure in every other part. This aperture 

 is closed by some blades of whalebone, which, though in reality only 

 fixed to the stones at one end, appear to form a secure footing, espe- 

 cially when the deception is assisted by a little snow laid on them. 

 The bait is so placed that the animal must come upon this platform to 

 get at it ; when the latter, unable to bear the weight, bends downwards, 

 and after precipitating the Fox into the trap, which is made too deep 

 to allow of his escape, returns by its elasticity to its former position, so 

 that several may then be caught successively." 



They are said by Audubon * to be so little cunning, that with a 

 simple barrel trap the same individual has been caught several times, 

 " their hunger or want of caution leading them again into the barrel 

 when only a short time released from captivity," Some that had been 

 kept on board an ice-bound vessel several days did not appear anxious 

 to escape, while others which had not been caught would approach it. 

 They did not appear frightened at seeing a man, but would run a little 

 way, and then sit down and stare before retreating finally. They appear 

 to be good eating and fat all the winter, as, in addition to their stores, 

 they have been seen to follow the polar bear and feed on his leavings 

 of seals, fish, &c. 



In summer dress, the Arctic Fox may have the back and tail of a 

 brown or dirty rufous tinge, the belly being yellowish white. The 

 head, chin, outside of the limbs, and the external surface of the ears 

 are also brown. White hairs are interspersed and also grey ones j 

 all the hairs are more or less bluish grey towards their roots and the 



* Op. tit. p. 92. He refers to the expedition in search of Sir John Franklin under 

 Mr. Henry Grinnell. 



