THE FOX 



Genus Vulpes. 



THE FOX. 



Canis vulpes, Linnseus. 

 Plate i i . 



The Fox varies considerably in size, from the Lowland race measur- 

 ing in length of head and body about 2 feet 3 inches with a tail of 

 about I foot, to the much larger animal inhabiting the hills of Scotland, 

 which may measure in total length from nose to tip of tail as much as 

 5 feet or more, and is also greyer in colour. This is in general a 

 combination of reddish tawny-grey and rust colour on the upper parts, 

 and white, or sometimes dusky-grey below. Upper surface of the ears 

 black towards the tips, with longish white hairs inside the orifice. The 

 feet black above, brown underneath. The white tip to the tail or brush 

 is said to be more conspicuous in the dog Fox than in the Vixen, 

 but individuals of both sexes are occasionally without it. The strong 

 unpleasant odour of the Fox is caused by a fetid secretion in the sub- 

 caudal gland, this " foxey " effluvium being intensified when the animal 

 is excited. 



Foxes, the same or only slightly differing in colour from our British 

 race, are found throughout Europe, while other species inhabit Asia, 

 Africa, and North America, those in the latter country being very closely 

 related to our Common Fox. 



The latter is plentiful all over the mainland of Great Britain and 

 Ireland. It is by far the most intelligent and cunning of all our beasts 



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