46 
NEW-YORK FAUNA. 
between the eyes and nose ; near the orbits, this black patch is produced upwards in a narrow 
line towards the ears. Muzzle black, yellowish on each side for a small space above; sides 
of the neck tawny ; lower jaw black. Breast occasionally spotted with white. Beneath, light 
colored. Tail of the general hue of the body, slightly tinged with rufous beneath, and occa¬ 
sionally darker at the tip. 
Head and body,. 18 ’ 0 - 25'0. 
Tail (vertebras),... 7*0- 10’0. 
Ditto (tip of hairs),. 9'0-12*0. 
This species is more common in the southern counties than farther north. On Long Island 
it is very abundant, and is there frequently known under the name of the Plain or Grass Fox. 
It affords great amusement to hunters, but not for the reasons assigned by Godman; namely, 
that it is killed generally near the place where it is first started : On the contrary, it usually 
takes a direct course for many miles, at least on the great plains ; and as the ordinary deer¬ 
hound is generally employed, I have often known it to escape. 
The Grey Fox is bolder and more astute, if possible, than the red one, and more frequently 
prowls about barn-yards. Very little, however, is known of his habits, beyond his destructive 
propensities. Catesby asserts that they climb trees with facility. This is probable, for I have 
witnessed the same fact in the Red Fox, when closely pursued by hounds. The Grey Fox 
does not extend far beyond 42° north, and its southern limits extend to Florida. 
(EXTRA-LIMITAL.) 
C. velox. Burrowing Fox. (Say, Long’s Exped. Vol. 1, p. 486.) Body slender; silvery grey, 
varied with fulvous. Tail long and blackish. Smallest of the American Foxes. Missouri. 
FAMILY VII. FFLIDJE. 
Head short in ■proportion to its length, rounded. Muzzle short, obtuse. Claws completely 
retractile. Exclusively carnivorous. Nocturnal. 
Obs. This family, which corresponds nearly with the old linnean genus Felis, has been 
extended, by some modern system-mongers, to include Dogs, Wolves and Foxes. As we 
understand it, it comprises four or five genera, and about forty species. In this State, we 
have but three representatives of this family, included under two genera. 
