Class I. FOX. 87 



several entrances to secure a retreat from every 

 quarter. In warm weather it will quit its ha- 

 bitation for the sake of basking in the sun, or to 

 enjoy the fresh air; then it rarely lies exposed, 

 but chuses some thick brake, and generally of 

 gorse, that it may rest secure from surprize. 

 Crows, magpies, and other birds, who consider 

 the fox as their common enemy, will often, by 

 their notes of anger, point out its retreat. 



This animal is common in all parts of Great 

 Britain, and so well known as not to require a 

 description. The skin is furnished with a soft 

 and warm fur, which in many parts of Europeis 

 used to make muffs and lining for cloaths. Vast 

 numbers are taken in Le Valais, and the Alpine 

 parts of Switzerland. At Lausanne there are 

 furriers who are in possession of between two 

 and three thousand skins, all caught in one 

 winter. 



There are three varieties of foxes found in the Varikties. 

 mountanous parts of these islands, which differ 

 a little in form, but not in color, from each 

 other. These are distinguished in Wales, by as 

 many different names. The Milgri or Gre- 

 hound fox, is the largest, tallest, and boldest ; 

 and will attack a grown sheep or wether : the 

 Mastiff fox is less, but more strongly built : the 

 Corgi, or Cur fox is the lest, and lurks about 



