254 WILD SCENES AND WILD HUNTERS. 



wolf, and a small wolf may be termed a fox. Commend us 

 to consistency, — say I ! 



The genus vulpes of Cuvier is now established, — has become 

 a j&xed fact of science among us, as it ought to have been 

 considered long ago ! The other two species, beside the 

 Gray and Red, which go to make up the complement of four 

 assigned to North America, are the Swift Fox and the Arctic 

 Fox. 



The Swift Fox inhabits the Missouri and Platte Rivers, 

 west to the Rocky Mountains. It is a very extraordinary 

 creature. Although the smallest of American foxes, it is by 

 far the fleetest. In traversing the wild region where it is 

 native, llieard from the hunters and trappers most marvel- 

 ous tales of its swiftness, some of which placed it even along- 

 side the horse and antelope in this respect, and far beyond 

 any other animal on the plains. These stories are to be 

 taken with considerable allowance. I saw it frequently, but 

 had no fair opportunity of testing its speed thoroughly — though 

 there is one observation which I made, that may be worth 

 giving in this connection. 



The vast bare extent and undulating surface of those plains 

 seem to have had a somewhat remarkable effect in developing 

 powers of flight and pursuit, in most of the creatures inhabiting 

 them, and more particularly in the smaller ones ; and there is 

 quite as much of this exaggerated story-telling to be met with 

 upon the lips of these same wandering hunters and trappers, 

 with regard to the great-eared rabbit of the plains further 

 South. This animal is represented by them as a miracle of 

 speed ; and I am, from my own observation, disposed to give 

 a large proportion of credit to their representations. 



I have witnessed in them such astonishing power of getting 

 over the ground, that they almost seemed to defy pursuit. 

 It was " more like flying than running," as the hunters say. 

 The total absence upon these wild plains of any of those 

 facilities for concealment, refuge or escape, which are afforded 



