THE FOX FAMIIvY 



The American grey fox, which is perhaps not a 

 true fox, prefers a warm climate, and is generally 

 found throughout all the Southern States. The 

 colour of this fox is grey, darker on the back, 

 sometimes inclining to black. The tips of the 

 ears are black, the feet, legs and underparts being 

 rusty red. It is smaller than the red fox, being 

 thirty-eight inches long. It lives in stumps 

 and hollow trees, and can climb well. When 

 closely pressed by hounds its agility in this respect 

 is remarkable. Being as much a fruit eater as 

 a flesh consumer, it often climbs trees in search 

 of food. Unlike the red fox, the grey when 

 pursued, never depends on its legs, but twists and 

 circles until under pressure it goes to ground, or 

 takes to a tree. 



In Colorado, Wyoming, and the Western 

 Plains, the kit fox takes the place of the grey. 

 It is a very small fox, yellowish grey in colour, 

 with a white tip to the brush. Although a 

 diminutive creature it is remarkably speedy, and 

 is able to run well on ice, the soles of its feet being 

 covered with hair. 



Further north, and seldom found below 

 latitude 60°, is the white or Arctic fox. It is 

 smaller than the red fox. In winter the fur of 

 this fox is white, but with the approach of spring, 

 the white fur is gradually shed, and the blue- 

 grey summer coat makes its appearance. Still 

 later the blue fur gives place to a down-like coat 

 of chocolate colour. At this stage the Arctic 

 fox presents a very ragged appearance, its brush 

 being often almost bare. The fur is at its best 

 during January and February. 



Owing to the intense cold of the Arctic winter, 

 all animals are compelled to hibernate or lay up 

 a store of food. The white fox adopts the latter 



15 



