Mammal Study 



259 



streams on logs and invents various other devices too numerous and 

 intricate to describe. When chased by dogs, he naturally runs in a 

 circle, probably so as not to be too far from home If there are young 

 ones in the den, the father fox leads the hounds far away, in the next 

 county, if possible. Perhaps one of the most clever tricks of the fox, is 

 to make friends with the dogs. I have known of two instances where 

 a dog and fox wxre daily companions and playfellows. 



The young foxes are bom in the spring. They are black at first and 

 are fascinating little creatures, being exceedingly playful and active. 

 Their parents are very devoted to them, and during all their puppyhood, 

 the mother fox is a menace to the poultry of the region, because the 

 necessity is upon her of feeding her rapidly growing litter. 



In my opinion, the best story of animal fiction is "Red Fox" by 

 Roberts. Like all good fiction, it is based upon facts and it presents a 

 wholesome picture of the life of the successful fox. "The Silver Fox" by 

 Thompson Seton is another interesting and delightful story. Although 

 the Nights with Uncle Remus could scarcely be called nature stories, 

 3"et they are interesting in showing how the fox has become a part of 

 folk-lore. 



Fox tracks. 



LESSON LXIl 

 The Fox 



Leading thought — The red fox is so clever that it has 

 been able, in many parts of our country, to maintain 

 itself despite dogs and men. 



Method — This lesson is likely to be given largely from 

 hearsay or reading. However, if the school is in a rural 

 district, there will be plenty of hunters' stories afloat, 

 from which may be elicited facts concerning the cunning 

 and cleverness of the red fox. In such places there is 

 also the opportunity in winter to study fox tracks upon 

 the snow. The lesson may well be given when there are 

 fox tracks for observation. The close relationship 

 between foxes and dogs should be emphasized. 

 Observations and reading — i. Describe the fox's track. How does it 

 differ from the track of a small dog? 



2. Where does the fox make its home? Describe the den. Describe 

 the den in which the young foxes live. 



3. Describe the red fox, its color and form as completely as you can. 

 What is the expression of its face? What is there peculiar about its tail? 

 What is the use of this great bushy tail in the winter? 



4. What is the food of the fox? How does it get its food? Is it a 

 day or a night hunter? How does the fox benefit the farmer? How doe? 

 it injure him? How does the fox carry home its heavy game, such as a 

 goose or a hen ? 



