THE FENNEC. 73 
lives in burrows, which it excavates in the earth during the summer months, 
and prefers to construct its simple dwellings in small groups of twenty or 
thirty. 
The FENNKEC, or ZERDA, is an inhabitant of Africa, being found in Nubia 
and Egypt. It is a very pretty and lively little creature, running about with 
much activity, and anon sitting upright and regarding the prospect with 
marvellous gravity. The colour of the Fennec is a very pale fawn, or 
“isabel” colour, sometimes being almost of 2 creamy whiteness. The tail 
is bushy, and partakes of the general colour of the fur, except at the upper 
part of the base and the extreme tip, which are boldly marked with black. 
The size of the adult animal is very inconsiderable, as it measures scarcely 
more than a foot in length, exclusive of the bushy tail, which is about eight 
inches long. 
FENNEC.—(Vulges Zaarensis.) 
_It is said that the Fennec, although it is evidently a carnivorous animal, 
delights to feed upon various fruits, especially preferring the date. Such a 
predilection is according to vulpine and canine analogies, for the common 
English Fox is remarkably fond of ripe fruits, such as grapes or strawberries, 
and the domestic dog is too often a depredator of those very gardens which 
he was enjoined to keep clear from robbers. But that the animal should 
enjoy the power of procuring that food in which it so delights is a very extra- 
ordinary circumstance, and one which wonld hardly be expected from a 
creature which partakes so largely of the vulpine form and characteristics. 
The date-palm is a tree of a very lofty growth, and the rich clusters of the fruit 
are placed at the very summit of the bare, branchless stem. Yet the Fennec 
is said to possess the capability of climbing the trunk of the date-palm, and 
of procuring for itself the coveted luxury. 
