THE COMMON FOX. 187 



The ground colour of the fox is usually of a dull reddish 

 fawn of various depths or shades, and inclining to a blackish 

 tinge along the middle of the back, across the shoulders, the 

 sides of the muzzle, the backs of the ears, the under surface 

 of the tail, and the outer parts of the limbs, the remaining 

 portions being of a pure white. 



The fox is remarkable for the brilliancy and intelligent 

 expression of his eye, the structure of which is very different 

 from that of dogs. In the latter, however great the intensity 

 of light to which they may be exposed, the iris uniformly 

 contracts around the pupil, in the form of a circle j while in 

 the fox, if observed during the day, or under the influence of a 

 strong light, it is seen to close in a vertical direction, the pupil 

 assuming the figure of a section of a double convex lens. 



Grew observes, that the ear of the fox " that scouteth 

 underneath the prey at roost, is, for the better reception of the 

 least sound, produced further out below than it is above."* 

 More recently, Dr. Farrar remarks, that its ear, by being 

 expanded principally from behind in a forward direction, into 

 nearly a circular aperture, " is very well adapted, when the 

 head is thrown laterally and upwards, for receiving sounds 

 from above. His prey is usually met with in hen-roosts, or 

 perched on trees 5 and his mode of taking it by surprise 

 induces him to approach it stealthily. Hence arises the 

 necessity of sounds indicating its immediate presence being 

 transmitted to the sensorium as soon as possible. The moment 

 his ear indicates his prey above him, his eye is immediately 

 turned in that direction -, and thus, if within his reach, it is very 

 speedily captured. What more beautiful provision for this 

 animal's necessities could be met with than those with which 

 he appears to be provided ? His ears first give the indication 

 of the presence of his prey, and his eye instantly contemplates 

 the object of his pur suit, "f 



The fox preys upon sheep, hares, rabbits, moles, rats, field- 

 mice, partridges, poultry, frogs, and worms. It also sometimes 



* Cosmologia Sacra, vol. i. p. 5. f Mag. Nat. Hist. vol. iv. (1831), p. 12. 



