FOX. 99 



Vulpes flavescens, Gray, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. vol. xi. p. 18 



(1843). 

 Vulpes vulgaris, Bell (ex Brisson), British Quadrupeds p. 257 



(1837); 2 nded. p. 225 (1874). 



Vulpes alopex, Blanford, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1887 p. 635; id 

 Mammals of British India p. 153 (1888). 



(Plate IX.) 



Characters. As the typical representative of the Vulpine 

 group of the genus, the Fox differs from the Wolf in the ab- 

 sence of air-cells in the forehead of the skull, as well as in the 

 upper surface of the triangular process defining the hinder bor- 

 der of the socket for the eye being concave. This group is 

 further characterised by the more slender build of the body, 

 the longer and more bushy tail, which always considerably ex- 

 ceeds half the length of the head and body, and the pro- 

 portionately shorter limbs. The ears are large ; the pupil of the 

 eye, when seen in a strong light, forms a vertical ellipse, and 

 the number of teats is only six, against ten, or more rarely 

 eight, in the Wolf group. 



The present species may be defined as a large, and in winter 

 richly coloured, Fox, its general colour in Britain being reddish- 

 brown above and white beneath, with the backs of the ears 

 black, and the tip of the tail white. Length of head and body 

 from about 27 to 34 inches; of tail, from 12 to 15 inches. 



In the ordinary British Fox there is no great amount of 

 variation in colour ; the upper-parts being reddish-brown, 

 mixed with some white hairs on the shoulders, thighs, flanks, 

 rump, and tail. The muzzle is blackish, the inner surfaces 

 and edges of the ears whitish, their outer surfaces black, with 

 slight spots of white ; the tail pale reddish, with the tips of the 

 long hairs brownish-black, and the extremity white. The 

 lower portion of the cheeks, the under part of the neck, as 

 well as the chest and under-parts generally, together with the 



H 2 



