20 VERTEBRATES: MAMMALS. 



country they destroy sheep, calves, and other animals 

 of the farm. The White and Gray Wolf is found in 

 nearly all the thinly settled regions of North America. 

 The Prairie Wolf is common in the regions west of the 

 Mississippi River. 



Foxes are distinguished from all the rest of the Dog 

 family by their pointed muzzle and large bushy tail. 

 They are the most sly and crafty of all animals, contriv- 

 ing to steal turkeys, geese, chickens, and whatever they 

 want to eat, and carry them away to their lurking-places 

 in the woods and thickets. They are hunted with 

 hounds which go in swift pursuit, while the hunter, 

 knowing the habits of the animal, conceals himself in 

 some valley or other locality where the fox will be al- 

 most sure to pass, and when he comes near enough 

 shoots him down. But it must be stated that in many 

 cases the shrewd movements of the fox deceive both the 

 hunter and the dogs. If captured alive, which rarely 

 happens, and struck while it is in a situation from which 

 it cannot escape, the fox feigns itself dead, though un- 

 hurt, and when its captor is off his guard, will jump up 

 and run away. 



CIVETS. 



Civets are about the size of the house cat, and with 



one exception belong to the 

 Old World. The Civet-Cat 

 of Texas and California is of 

 a grayish color, its tail white 

 with black rings. It lives 

 upon the trees, is lively and 

 playful, and, though shy, is 

 easily tamed, and the miners 



Fig. 46. - Civet-Cat. 



