THE GRAY FOX. 



(^ HE only Foxes that are hunted 

 ^ (the others only being taken 



oj by means of traps or poison) 



~^ are the Red and Gray species. 

 The Gray Fox is a more southern 

 species than the Red and is rarely 

 •found north of the state of Maine. 

 Indeed it is said to be not common 

 anywhere in New England. In the 

 southern states, however, it wholly 

 replaces the Red Fox, and, according 

 to Hallock, one of the best authorities 

 on game animals in this country, 

 causes quite as much annoyance to the 

 farmer as does that proverbial and 

 predatory animal, the terror of the 

 hen-roost and the smaller rodents. 

 The Gray Fox is somewhat smaller 

 than the Red and differs from him in 

 being wholly dark gray ^'niixed hoary 

 and black." He also differs from his 

 northern cousin in being able to climb 

 trees. Although not much of a runner, 

 when hard pressed by the dog he will 

 often ascend the trunk of a leaning 

 tree, or will even climb an erect one, 

 grasping the trunk in his arms as 

 would a Bear. Nevertheless the Fox 

 is not at home among the branches, 

 and looks and no doubt feels very 

 much out of place while in this predic- 

 ament. The ability tocJimb, however, 

 often saves him from the hounds, who 

 are thus thrown off" the scent and 

 Reynard is left to trot home at his 

 leisure. 



Foxes live in holes of their own 

 making, generally in the loamy soil of 

 a side hill, says an old Fox hunter, 

 and the she-Fox bears four or five cubs 

 at a litter. When a fox-hole is dis- 

 covered by the Farmers they assemble 

 and proceed to dig out the inmates 

 who have lately, very likely, been 

 making havoc among the hen-roosts. 

 An amusing incident, he relates, which 

 came under his observation a few 

 years ago will bear relating. A farmer 



discovered the lair of an old dog Fox 

 by means of his hound, who trailed 

 the animal to his hole. This Fox had 

 been making large and nightly inroads 

 into the poultry ranks of the neighbor- 

 hood, and had acquired great and 

 unenviable notoriety on that account. 

 The farmer and two companions, 

 armed with spades and hoes, and 

 accompatiied by the faithful hound, 

 started to dig out the Fox. The hole 

 was situated on the sandy slope of a 

 hill, and after a laborious and con- 

 tinued digging of four hours, Reynard 

 was unearthed and he and Rep, the 

 dog, were soon engaged in deadly 

 strife. The excitement had waxed 

 hot, and dog, men, and Fox were all 

 struggling in a promiscuous melee. 

 Soon a burly farmer watching his 

 chance strikes wildly with his hoe- 

 handle for Reynard's head, which is 

 scarcely distinguishable in the maze of 

 legs and bodies. The blow descends, but 

 alas ! a sudden movement of the hairy 

 mass brings the fierce stroke upon 

 the faithful dog, who with a wild howl 

 relaxes his grasp and rolls with bruised 

 and bleeding head, faint and powerless 

 on the hillside. Reynard takes advan- 

 tage of the turn affairs have assumed, 

 and before the gun, which had been 

 laid aside on the grass some hours 

 before, can be reached he disappears 

 over the crest of the hill. 



Hallock says that an old she-Fox 

 with young, to supply them with food, 

 will soon deplete the hen-roost and 

 destroy both old and great numbers of 

 very young chickens. They generally 

 travel by night, follow regular runs, 

 and are exceedingly shy of any inven- 

 tion for their capture, and the use of 

 traps is almost futile. If caught in a 

 trap, they will gnaw off the captured 

 foot and escape, in which respect they 

 fully support their ancient reputation 

 for cunning. 



74 



