74 Field and Foresl Rambles. 



before the parent leaves the den ; indeed, it would seem 

 from various instances brought to my notice that the sleep 

 is not continuous, in any case being made up of successions 

 of prolonged repose with fits of dosing or dreamy indolence. 



Civilization has exercised a marked influence on the habits 

 of several forest animals : thus the Hare and Birch Partridge 

 are rapidly drawing close to settlements, and the Lynx and 

 Red Fox are following on their trail. With reference to 

 the advantages of these three mammals in making their 

 ways over snow, we find the lynx and hare have expansive 

 furred feet, which enable them to progress rapidly, whilst the 

 fox's are small in proportion, and sink deeply ; so that I 

 scarcely think in a fair run in the open it would be a match 

 for the latter; indeed, of the winter resident carnivora it is the 

 only one so helplessly constituted, although (as will be pointed 

 out in the sequel) both the Moose and Virginian Deer, among 

 the local ruminants, are greatly at a disadvantage with their 

 enemies. 



The above, moreover, might be cited in support of Professor 

 Baird's assertion,* that the Red Fox of eastern America is the 

 descendant of individuals of the European animal imported 

 many years ago, and allowed to run wild and overspread the 

 country ; and further, that its remains not having been met 

 with in a fossil state in America, whilst exuviae of the grey 

 species are abundant in the bone caves, is additional evi- 

 dence. He adds, "The muzzle of the European fox is larger 

 than that of its new world congener, and the eyes are further 

 apart, the feet are more slender and not so densely furred, 

 the texture is not so soft and silky, and, on the whole, it is 

 not so large as the American fox, while the colour is not so 

 golden." How far the regions and necessities of life and 

 climate may have brought about these modifications cannot 

 at present be shown with accuracy, but there is no reason why 



* " Pacific Railway Report," vol. viii., p* 121. 



