III. Manual of Fur-farming 



COMMON RED FOX 



THE fox is found on every continent and comprises a number of 

 species. The common red fox, which exists in the greatest num- 

 bers, has a range which ."extends across Europe and northern and central 

 Asia to Japan, while, to the south, it embraces northern Africa and 

 Arabia, Persia, Baluchistan and the northwestern districts of India 

 and the Himalayas." In North America, its range extends south to 

 Virginia and includes all Canada (except some northern regions), and 

 the northeastemmost portion of the United States. Its wide geo- 

 graphical range accounts for many distinct local phases or geographical 

 varieties. These phases, or sub-species, differ from one another in 

 form, in size and, to some extent, in colouring; but the differences are 

 often not apparent to the untrained observer. It is easy to distinguish 

 the four species of foxes commonly seen in America, viz., the common 

 red with its white tipped tail, the arctic or polar fox with its short ears 

 and blue or white pelt, the kit-fox with its black tail and small size, 

 and the gray fox with its gray and red colour and erectile hairs down 

 the tail; but it is more difficult to distinguish the sub-species of the 

 common red fox. 



The popular classification is by colour, as follows: 



Common Red Fox (Vulpes), found in some districts in several colours, viz.: 



Bed Fox — When red or yellow over sides and back. 



Silver Fox — When no red is present. 



Cross or Patch Fox — When the sides and neck are red and the back, shoulders 

 ard hips are silver. An intermcd'ate between silver ard red. 



The red, silver and cross foxes are not distinct species and not even distinct 

 breeds. Silver foxes usually breed true to colour, snd continued selection will 

 insure the dist:nctive colour n-ark!n;s of each colcur variety. 



Scientists, of course, follow the universal rule of measuring the 

 skulls and teeth for classification purposes. The colour is not; a 

 consideration with them. Merriam classified the North American red 

 foxes as follows: 



V. fulvus — Ontario, Quebec, Eastern United States. 



V. bangsi — Labrador and North shore of gulf of St. Lawrence. 



V. deletrix — Newfoundland. 



V. rubncosa— Nova, Scotia, New Brunswick, Gaspe, Prince Edward Island.* 



* As it has been segregated for ages, the Prince Edward Island fox is, possibly, 

 a distinct variety. 



