OTHER ANIMALS 653 



adapted to widely varying conditions. It has not been bred in 

 inclosures for commercial purposes to any great extent, although 

 breeders are beginning to realize that they may be made profitable 

 under proper management. The deer are polygamous like elk, 

 breeding in November; period of gestation about seven months. 

 The first coat of the fawn is spotted. In the wild state they are 

 chiefly browsing, in captivity they eat almost all kinds of forage 

 and vegetables. A good supply of running water should be pro- 

 vided. The animals should also have access to rock salt. 



The remarks about castrating elk apply equally as well to deer. 

 A number of vigorous bucks however must be kept with any con- 

 siderable herd of does. Frequent changes of blood, by introducing 

 new bucks, should be practiced to avoid too much in-breeding. 

 (Dep. Agr. F. B. 330.) 



SILVER FOX (VTJLPES FULVUS). 



The name silver fox is commonly applied to the dark phases 

 of the ordinary red fox. Variously called silver, silver-gray, silver- 

 black. It should not be confused with the gray fox or the tree fox 

 of the southern part of the United States. The prices usually paid 

 for fox skins vary greatly. The red fox selling for a few dollars 

 each, and those of the silver fox for bringing from ten to fifty times as 

 much. Foxes have been maintained in zoological gardens for 

 many years, but not until recent years has silver fox farming been 

 attempted. Some attempts have proven failures, while others have 

 attained quite marked success. 



The natural habitat of the red and silver foxes includes the 

 greater part of North America. The most successful fox farms 

 consist of quite restricted areas inclosed with high woven wire 

 fences, quite near dwellings where close personal attention can be 

 given. Foxes breed only once a year, the mating season includes 

 the months of February and March. The period of gestation is 

 about 51 days. The number born in a litter varies from two to 

 eight, the average number born to adults being five. The sexes 

 are usually kept separate, except during the breeding season. The 

 young are separated when weaned. 



Fox raisers estimate the cost for food when everything is pur- 

 chased at about one cent per day per fox. So far as known, fatal 

 diseases are unknown among foxes. It seems probable that under 

 proper management fox raising will be developed into a profitable 

 industry. (Agr. Dept. F. B. 328.) 



WAPITI OR ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK (CERVUS CANADENSIS). 



The Wapiti include two related species and are generally 

 known as the Elk ; and is next to the moose the largest of our deer. 

 It was once abundant over the greater part of the United States. At 

 present their range is very limited. Only comparatively small herds 

 exist outside of the Yellowstone National Park. Wapiti are found, 

 however, in Colorado, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Northern California, 

 Washington and in Canada. 



The Elk is a browsing and grazing animal; sometimes it will 

 subsist wholly on pasture. It is extremely polygamous. The bulls 



