INTRODUCTION OF THE RED FOX. 17 J 



natural history emanating from the pen of Postmaster- 

 General Skinner, now dead many years, we learn that 

 the red fox was introduced into the State of Maryland 

 from England considerably over one hundred years ago. 

 The importer was no other than the gallant and loyal 

 old soldier, Colonel Guy Carlton, whose name so con- 

 spicuously appears associated in all the efforts made by 

 the royal troops to suppress the revolution. This 

 noble veteran was doubtless a hard-riding and en- 

 thusiastic fox-hunter. The little grey fox indigenous 

 to the country did not suit his exalted ideas from 

 having enjoyed the noble sport at home, and to remedy 

 the evil he went to the trouble, and doubtless, in those 

 days, great expense, to import the larger, gamer, 

 and more lasting animal. The result was the suc- 

 cess he so eminently deserved. The first arrivals 

 were turned down in Maryland, not far from Baltimore. 

 From there they have gradually extended north, 

 south, and west, marking their advent by the gradual 

 annihilation of the grey species. I have had the pleasure 

 for some years of enjoying the friendship of Colonel 

 Skinner, son of the old postmaster-general ; from him 

 I learn that he frequently heard his father speak on 

 this subject, and that he has often visited the spot 

 where the first English or red foxes were released. 

 From my own personal experience I can state a cir- 

 cumstance corroborative of the fact, that with the 

 entree of the red fox into any section of country the 

 grey species either migrates or perishes. Some years 

 since I lived in a hilly portion of Southern Illinois. 

 On my arrival the little grey foxes were so numerous 

 that with a moderate pack of hounds two or three 

 could be killed daily. I had not been there over a year 



