afford grateful seclusion and protection. Possibly a trifle inferior to 

 some of its kind in speed and endurance, it excels at climbing trees, 

 although this ability may at times prove a doubtful advantage if 

 tempted to use it, an unlucky fugitive grows weary of his flight for 

 safety and places himself in a fine position to be shot. 



Fortunately, the power of self-preservation bestowed upon this 

 small creature, which appears so unequal to the marvelous cunning 

 of others of his tribe, are offset by the fact that his body, while 

 but little shorter, as it measures about thirty-nine inches, is more 

 slender and may thus far less quickly attract attention. Further- 

 more, the gray coloring above, shading into a rusty red on the sides 

 and yellowish white underneath, renders a very inconspicuous hint 

 of his presence. The same indistinction of coloring aids indirectly 

 to safeguard its wearer by being valued the least of any fox fur, 

 consequently does not bring a high enough price to ever encourage 

 his pursuit. 



112 



