LAKE MAELPEG AND MOUNT SYLVESTER 301 



were here all day, but the more cunning quadrupeds only 

 sneaked to their meal in the shadows. 



The red fox of Newfoundland can hardly be said to differ 

 from that of the adjoining continent, although American 

 naturalists like to regard it as a separate sub-species under 

 the name of Vulpes deletrix (Bangs). It is certainly smaller, 

 as we should expect an island form to be, but that its colour 

 is paler and less rusty I do not agree. I have compared 

 skins from Newfoundland with those of Canada, and can find 

 no difference in the size of the feet, which is supposed to be 

 the chief character of the V. deletrix. "The cross-fox," "the 

 patch fox," " the silver fox," " the mountaineer fox," and "the 

 black fox " are all melanic varieties of varying intensity of the 

 common red fox, Vu/pes /ii/vrts {Desmar est). A collection of 

 Newfoundland skins exhibits all degrees of colour from the 

 jet black fox with white end to its tail, which is by far the 

 rarest and most valuable phase, to the true red fox. Of course 

 the true type is the commonest ; then comes the " patch," 

 which may be said to occur as one in every six specimens. 

 In every twenty there is a "cross" or a "mountaineer," and 

 in every hundred a good "silver." The Indians say they get 

 one genuine " black fox " in a lifetime. Noel Matthews 

 obtained 380 dollars for a good skin of this rare variety, and 

 this may be said to be the top price obtained by the trapper. 



The habits of the Newfoundland foxes are very similar 

 to those of the mainland, so little need be said beyond noting 

 a few points of interest which I have not seen stated in 

 other natural histories. These island foxes are practically 

 omnivorous. They will eat any sort of fresh meat and carrion, 

 but do not as a rule attack the carcases of deer until the first 

 severe frosts set in. During the summer they live largely on 

 trout, which they catch with great skill, by watching the 



