272 



THE ASSR 



The American Fox was long regarded identical with the Red Fox of Europe ( Vulpes 

 vulgaris). Differences exist, though slight. The American Fox has a more silky, softer, and 

 longer fur. The muzzle is longer ; the eyes are placed nearer together, and the feet are larger. 



The Cross Fox — a variety — is so called on account of a more or less distinct band of a 

 darker color crossing another on the shoulders. It is common in New York, but is not often 

 seen south of Pennsylvania. It is larger than the Red variety, and has a more bushy tail. 



The Prairie Fox ( Vulpes macrourus) is regarded as the finest species known. It is the 

 largest. Its color is much like that of the Red Fox. The muzzle is more pointed than in any 

 other species. Its total length, from nose to tip of tail, is thirty -three inches. The ears are 

 very large and acutely pointed. Lewis and Clark called it the Large Red Fox of the Plains. 

 Audubon and Bachman named it Vulpes utah. 



The Kit Fox, or Swift Fox ( Vulpes velox), is the Silver-gray Fox of earlier writers. It is 

 quite distinguished from the Red Fox, and others, by its broader head, smaller ears, and 



OTOCYON — Otocyon lalandii. 



shorter legs, cylindrical and bushy tail. Its litter of young varies from four to eight. It is 

 common to the Western States. 



The Arctic Fox is an exceedingly beautiful creature, being of a pure snowy white in every 

 part of its pelt. It inhabits the region of the Arctic Circle, and is seldom seen farther south. 



The Gray Fox ( Urocyon einereo argentatus, Schreb, Coues) is common to the Middle 

 States, California, and the North Western States. It is distinguished by having a concealed 

 mane of stiff hairs. Its general aspect is of a handsome silver-gray. The pelt is less soft and 

 bushy, and the body, therefore, seems somewhat smaller than of other species. 



The Coast Fox ( Vulpes littoralis) is another of this group, distinguished by the stiffer 

 hairs. Sometimes called the Short-tailed Fox. It is hardly more than half the size of the 

 preceding species. The tail is only about one third the length of the body. Its pelt above 

 is hoary and black. The sides of the neck, fore-legs and fore part of thighs are of a dull cin- 

 namon color. Tlie chin and sides of the muzzle, black. The tail has a concealed mane of stiff 

 hairs. This little Fox is singularly tame. 



The little animal which is known by the name of the Asse, or the Caama, is an inhabit- 

 ant of Southern Africa, and is in great request for the sake of its skin, which furnishes a very 

 valuable fur. 



It is a terrible enemy to ostriches and other birds which lay their eggs in the ground, and 

 is in consequence detested by the birds whose nests are devastated. The ingenuity of the 

 Caama in procuring the contents of an ostrich's egg is rather remarkable. The shell of the 



