540 



DIGITIGRADE CAENIVOTIA. 



straight tail and his colour of tawny grey. This much-dreaded pest 

 of many European countries lives a solitary life, and does not asso- 

 ciate with his fellows, unless pressed by hunger, when, becoming 

 reckless and furious, they join together in packs, and commit terri- 

 ble depredations among sheep and cattle. The bite of the Wolf is 

 so ferocious, that he is said usually to bring away the flesh upon 

 which he has fastened his jaws ; his natural disposition, however, 

 is sullen and cowardly, and 'it is rarely that he ventures to attack 

 his equals in strength. 



The Foxes (Canis vulpes) are distinguishable from Dogs and 

 Wolves by their tail, which is longer and more bushy, by their 

 muzzle, which is more pointed, and by the pupils of their eyes, 

 which in the daytime form a vertical slit ; they diffuse a suffocating 

 stench, dig holes in the earth wherein they reside, and only attack 

 animals much weaker than themselves. The common Fox has 

 rendered himself famous for his tricks and cunning. He generally 

 establishes his abode on the edge of a wood in the neighbourhood of 



FIG. 464. POX. 



some farm. If he gets entrance into the poultry yard, he slaughters 

 all the fowls, and, loading himself with a part of the spoils, he 

 hastens to hide his booty at some distance ; he then returns, and 

 carries off another portion, which he disposes of in the same way, 

 taking care, however, to change the place of deposit : this he repeats 

 several times. His gluttony, however, will accommodate itself to 

 much less dainty food. When pressed by hunger he will eat rats 

 and mice, snakes, toads, and lizards, and even content himself with 

 vegetables. 



