154 MAMMALIA—FENNEC. 
is of a bright red color on the head, back, and sides ; on the throat and neck 
of a dark gray; and pale red on the under parts of the body. It bearsa 
strong resemblance to the common European fox, but differs from it in the 
breadth and capacity of its feet for running on the snow; and the quantity 
of long hair, clothing the back part of the cheeks, with the shorter ears and 
nose, give the head a more compact appearance. It has a much finer brush 
‘han the European one, and is altogether a finer animal. It is very plenti- 
ful in the wooded district of the fur countries, about eight thousand being 
annually imported into England from thence. 
Red foxes prey much on the smaller animals of the rat family, but they 
are fond of fish, and reject no kind of animal food that comes in their way. 
They hunt their food chiefly in the night, though they are frequently seen 
in the daytime. They are taken in steel traps, but much nicety is required 
in setting them, as the animal is very suspicious. 
THE FENNEC. 

Tuts beautiful and extraordinary animal, or at least one of this genus, 
was first made known to European naturalists by Bruce, who received it 
from his dragoman, whilst consul genera] at Algiers. Bruce kept it alive for 
several months. Its favorite food was dates, or any other sweet fruit; it 
was also very fond of eggs; when hungry it would eat bread, especially 
with honey or sugar. His attention was immediately attracted if a bird 
flew near him, and he would watch it with an eagerness that could hardly 
be diverted froma its object: but he was dreadfully afraid of a cat, and 
endeavored to hide himself, the moment he saw an animal of that species, 
though he showed no symptoms of preparing for any defence. Bruce never 
1C. Brucei, Burr. 


