118 THE CORSAC FOX. 



experienced naturalists who think them so, and who are familiar with 

 one or more of these species or varieties in their native haunts. But 

 since, if they are not distinct, they must assume the name of the 

 Siberian animal we are now concerned with, we begin our enumeration 

 of these problematical forms with the latter i. e. with Cams corsac. 

 Its name is derived from its native appellation " Korssuk." Its Russian 

 name is " Kirassu." 



This Fox is an inhabitant of the open country of Central Asia, and 

 avoids the forest-clad mountains which are near its range in Eastern 

 Siberia *. 



It is seldom seen abroad in the daytime, which it spends sleeping in 

 some deserted burrow of a marmot. Its food, like that of most of its 

 congeners, consists of small mammals and birds, especially of the 

 alpine hare (Lagomys) and the vole (Arvicola). 



It does not make a permanent home, but wanders here and there 

 from one burrow to another. When snow has fallen it is readily traced 

 to its temporary home, and then a snare is set for it. Old Foxes, 

 which understand this, are extremely reluctant to go forth, and will 

 not do so till driven by the hunger of a six, seven, and sometimes a 

 nine days' fast. Sometimes even, Radde tells us, nothing will induce 

 them to venture forth, but they will die of hunger where they are, to 

 be dug out afterwards when advancing spring has thawed the deeply 

 frozen ground. 



It is also hunted with dogs, and is soon run down if it cannot 

 secure a safe hiding-place. It is no doubt very easily followed on 

 account of its rank odour, in which it differs altogether from the species 

 that inhabits Siberia north of its northern boundary we mean the 

 kind last described, C. lagopus. Of a very suspicious and savage 

 nature, the Corsac seems to be almost, if not quite, untamable, even 

 when taken young. 



It is a small animal, much smaller than the Common Fox, but it has 

 a similarly offensive odour. The pupil of the eye is round. The 

 colour of the coat changes towards summer and winter, but less so than 



* See Radde, op. cit. p. 75. 



