Feb., 191 2. Mammals of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 301 



extent and intensity of the color variable; throat and greater por- 

 tion of belly whitish; sides of nose and under jaw blackish; a ridge of 

 black hairs extends down middle of upper surface of tail. 



Young pups have the muzzle blackish ; the head grayish ; the back 

 of the ears fulvous at the base and dusky at the tip ; tail with black 

 tip. 

 Measurements — Total length, about 35.50 in. (900 mm.); tail ver- 

 tebrae, about 11.50 in. (282 mm.); hind foot, 5.25 in. (133 mm.). 

 The Gray Fox was formerly not uncommon in parts of Illinois, but 

 of late years it seems to have become scarce in most localities except in 

 the extreme southern portion of the state. In spite of repeated attempts 

 to obtain specimens, I have been able to secure but one, a fine male 

 from Petersburg, Menard Co. Mr. S. J. Miller of Millersville informs 

 me they are occasionally killed in Christian County; they are reported 

 to occur in more or less numbers in Hardin County by Mr. N.J. Aydlott 

 of Rosiclare, and in Alexander County by Messrs. W. L. Conrad and 

 Wm. Rabb of Olive Branch. Mr. John Johnson writes me it is found 

 in the vicinity of Wolf Lake, Union Co. Mr. Howell states they were 

 reported from Lick Creek, Union Co. (/. c, p. 32). Kennicott states 

 that Gray Foxes were formerly not uncommon in Cook County,* but 

 I have been unable to learn of their present occurrence in northern 

 Illinois except in the extreme northern counties where Gray Foxes 

 are reported as being occasionally taken. I have reliable information 

 that several have been killed in Jo Daviess County, but have not seen 

 specimens from that locality and it is probable they may prove to be 

 the Wisconsin Gray Fox, U. c. ocythous. 



The Gray Fox prefers a wooded country away from settlements and 

 upon the advent of civilization its numbers rapidly decrease. Its 

 fondness for poultry doubtless equals that of the Red Fox, but it is 

 seemingly less cunning, as it is more easily trapped or killed. In many 

 parts of the South it makes its den in hollow trees or logs, more than 

 in burrows in the ground; but in Illinois and Indiana, from what I 

 have been able to learn, the majority live in burrows. Hahn says, in 

 Indiana ''the dens do not differ from those of the red fox but they 

 are never placed out in the open fields as are those of the latter species." 

 (/.t.,p. 550.) The young are born in March or early April, the num- 

 ber usually varying from 4 to 6. They are practically omnivorous: 

 their principal food consists of various species of Rodents, (Mice, Rats, 

 Rabbits, etc.), but they also eat birds, eggs, some berries and occasional- 

 ly dead fish, reptiles and insects. When chased by dogs they often 

 seek refuge in low branched trees. I once shot a Gray Fox in a low 

 pine tree where it had climbed among the branches about seven feet 

 * Trans 111. State Agr. Soc, I, 1853-54 (1855), p. 578. 



