66 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 



vigorous and better able to survive adverse climatic or other conditions 

 than the females. 



"Except for a few cases, mating, according to my observa- 

 Breeding tion, is confined to the month of March and the first half of 



April. The earliest birth of pups noted by me was May 17, 

 the latest June 6. Altogether I have seen 22 litters of new-born foxes. 

 The largest of these consisted of 11, the smallest of 5 members. Three 

 litters contained 1 white each, three, 2 dead each, and six, 1 dead each. 

 These discoveries were made shortly after the young were born and 

 before some of them were dry. In all these cases the mother made no 

 preparation, but gave birth in slight depressions on the surface of the 

 ground. In every case the mother was much concerned by my presence, 

 and immediately transferred her young to some subterranean spot in 

 the neighbourhood. She removed the dead as well as the living. The 

 male consort was not present at any of these births. I am inclined to 

 think the mother always gives birth on the surface of the ground, and 

 within a day or so transfers the young underground for protection and 

 security. 



" As a general thing the young are not observed until about the 

 middle of June. They are then of pretty good size and play or feed 

 about the mouths of their burrows, on food brought by their parents. 

 When the young are thus playing or feeding, one and occasionally two 

 old foxes are in the vicinity. These are supposed to be parents when 

 two are present; but generally only one, presumably the mother, is 

 about, and the approach of a person causes the emission of a shrill note 

 from her which sends the young scampering under the ground. 



" The number of young seen at the mouths of their burrows 

 varies between 1 and 4, according to my observation. Major Clark saw 

 12 at the mouth of one warren, but he was under the impression that 

 more than one family was represented. During the summer of 1906, 

 Mr. Chichester observed daily for many weeks a family of eleven, all 

 of which were eventually brought up by the mother. I am inclined 

 to consider this litter a very exceptional one. If it were not, we would 

 have a great many more foxes at trapping time. 



" The infant mortality, which is very great, takes place shortly 

 after birth and is probably attributable to want of nourishment, cold, 

 and inclement weather. As soon as the young can eat meat, they thrive 

 rapidly and under ordinary conditions reach maturity. 



" On one occasion a native found a family of 12 young that had 

 just been born. One he thought was dead and brought it to me, but 

 after being in the house ten minutes the little thing showed signs of 



