206 



MUSEUM OF ANIMATED NATURE. 



[Foxes. 



of Melville Peninsula, states that both English and 

 Esquimaux were accustomed to pass them without 

 any weapon, or even a stick ; " the animals, how- 

 ever, exhibited no symptoms of fear, but rather a 

 kind of tacit agreement not to be the beginners of a 

 quarrel, even though they might have been certain 

 of proving victorious." 



These wolves hunt in packs, and when pressed for 

 food their audacity is astonishing. They will seize 

 the Esquimaux dogs, before their masters' faces, and 

 carry them off— for though bold in attacking the 

 bear, this breed of dogs, as previously noticed, fears 

 the wolf, and makes but a slight resistance. They 

 have been known not only to steal provisions from 

 under a man's head in the night, but even to come 

 into a traveller's bivouac and carry off some of his 

 dogs. " During our residence at Cumberland House, 

 in 1820," says Dr. Richardson, " a wolf which had 

 been prowling round the fort, and was wounded by 

 a musket-ball and driven off, returned after it be- 

 came dark, whilst the blood was still flowing from 

 its wound, and carried off a dog from amongst fifty 

 others, that howled piteously, but had not courage 

 to unite in an attack on their enemy." 



The American Wolf is extremely cunning, and in 

 attacking moose or Wapiti deer, animals which 

 exceed it in speed, it has recourse to a singular 

 stratagem. Several combine, and arrange them- 

 selves in the form of a semicircle, and thus advance 

 upon their prey, so as either to hem it in or drive 

 it over a precipice. Captain Franklin often found 

 the remains of deer which had been thus dashed 

 down steep cliffs and devoured, and he states that 

 this is a frequent expedient when the plains are 

 bounded by precipitous cliffs. " Whilst the deer 

 are quietly grazing, the wolves assemble in great 

 numbers, and, forming a crescent, creep slowly to- 

 wards the herd, so as not to alarm them much at 

 first ; but when they perceive that they have fairly 

 hemmed in the unsuspecting creatures, and cut off 

 their retreat across the plain, they move more quickly, 

 and with hideous yells terrify their prey, and urge 

 them to flight by the only open way, which is to- 

 wards the precipice, appearing to know that when 

 the herd is once at full speed, it is easily driven 

 over the cliff, the rearmost urging on those that are 

 before. The wolves then descend at leisure, and 

 feed on the mangled carcasses." 



On one occasion a troop of wolves endeavoured 

 to put the same stratagem into practice against Dr. 

 Richardson. Having the first watch, he " had gone 

 to the summit of a hill, and remained seated, con- 

 templating the river that washed the precipice 

 under his feet, long after dusk had hid distant objects 

 from his view. His thoughts were perhaps far distant 

 from the surrounding scenery, when he was roused 

 by an indistinct noise behind him ; and on looking 

 round, perceived that nine wliite wolves had ranged 

 themselves in form of a crescent, and were advanc- 

 ing apparently with the intention of driving him 

 into the river. On his rising up, they halted ; and 

 when he advanced, they made way for his passage 

 down to the tents." 



In the dreary realms that advance into the Polar 

 Sea, 



" Where tlie wolf and Arctic fox 

 Prowl amidst the lonely rocks," 



Captain Franklin and his companions, during their 

 arduous journeys, were often obliged to dispute their 

 scanty food with the lean wolves, that would scarcely 

 retreat. On one occasion, when they had captured 

 a moose deer, and had buried a part of the body, 

 the wolves absolutely dug it out from their very 

 feet,- and devoured it while the weary men were 

 sleeping. On another oecasion, when the travellers 

 had killed a deer, they saw by the flashes of the 

 Aurora borealis eight wolves waiting round for their 

 share of the prey. Sometimes, however, the wolves 

 were their caterers, and helped them to a welcome 

 meal. When a group of wolves and a flight of 

 crows were discovered, the travellers knew there 

 was a carcass to be divided, and they sometimes 

 succeeded in obtaining a share of the prey, if it had 

 been recently slaughtered. 



Of the American wolves we may notice the 

 Prairie wolf (Canis latrans, Say), which inhabits the 

 plains of the Missouri and Saskatchewan, as well as 

 those of the Columbia. It is smaller and fleeter than 

 the common wolf, associates in large troops, and 

 dwells in burrows on the plains remote irom the 

 forests. In Mexico is found a distinct species of 

 wolf (Canis Mexicanus, Desm.) ; and a species 

 termed the red wolf (Canis jubatus, Desm.) in- 

 habits the Pampas of La Plata. The Antarctic 

 wolf (Canis Antarctica, Desm.) is a native oi the 

 Falkland Isles, and seems to be an intermediate 

 link between the wolves and foxes. It feeds princi- 

 pally upon a species of goose (anser leueopterus), 

 o-oes in packs, which wander about by day, but 

 more commonly in the evening, and dwell in holes 

 which they burrow. This species is about fifteen 

 inches in height at the shoulder ; the tail is short, 



and white at the tip; the limbs are short, but the 

 contour of the head is wolf-like. It is termed by 

 Pennant the Antarctic Fox. 



Colonel Sykes has described a wolf from Dukhun, 

 under the title of Canis pallipes, which he states to 

 be numerous in the open stony plains of that region, 

 but not to be met with in the woods of the Ghauts. 

 (' Zool. Proceeds.' 1830.) 



Mr. Hodgson notices the common European wolf 

 as occurring in the lower region of the Nepal Moun- 

 tains. 



916, 917.— The Jackal 

 (Canis aureus). Of the animals known by the 

 name of Jackals, one species (Canis Anthus) is a 

 native of Senegal ; another, the Cape jackal (Canis 

 mesomelas) is a native of the Cape of Good Hope ; 

 and a third, the common jackal (Canis aureus), is 

 spread from the north of Africa, through Syria, Per- 

 sia, and the greater part of India. Colonel Sykes 

 states it to be numerous in Dukhun, where it is called 

 Kholah by the Mahrattas. It is somewhat larger 

 than a fox, but its tail is shorter in proportion, reach- 

 ing only to the hock ; its head is short, with a pointed 

 muzzle ; the general colour above is grey, abruptly 

 divided from a paler tint spread over the under sur- 

 face ; the tail is slightly tipped with black. 



This animal is most probably the Shual of the 

 Scriptures. It is the Chical of the Turks ; Sciagal, 

 Sciugal, Sciachal, or Shacal of the Persians. 



The jackal dwells in troops, which lie concealed 

 in holes and burrows during the day, but come forth 

 at night to hunt for food, giving chase to sheep or 

 antelopes and other animals, like the wolf, stealing 

 fox-like into fowl-roosts, and attacking any animal 

 they are capable of overcoming. They do not, 

 however, confine themselves to living prey, carrion 

 and offal of every description being greedily de- 

 voured. Nor are roots and fruits less acceptable ; 

 in the vineyard, indeed, they make great havoc, and 

 their fondness for grapes is notorious. The " shriek " 

 of the jackal is terrific. Those travellers who have 

 heard them, describe the nocturnal yells of these 

 animals as extremely piercing and dissonant ; now 

 close, now at a distance, troop answering troop from 

 different points, themselves unseen, while then- 

 fearful chorus breaks the stillness of the hours of 

 darkness. Their cries thus heard amidst the ruins 

 of cities of ancient date might seem " to listening 

 Fancy's ear" like the wail of legions of spirits over 

 the departed glories of other days. Mouldering 

 ruins, fallen temples, crumbling tombs, and craggy 

 rocks are the abodes of the jackal. 



Sly and suspicious in its disposition, this animal 

 when taken young is nevertheless easily tamed, 

 and loses that unpleasant odour which renders the 

 wild animal almost unbearable. We have seen in 

 the Zoological Gardens a hybrid between the jackal 

 and dog. 



920, 921. — The Common Fox 

 (Canis vulpes, Linn. ; Vulpes vulgaris, Brisson). 

 Volpe of the Italians ; Rapasa, Spanish ; Rapoza, 

 Portuguese ; Fuchs, German ; Vos, Dutch ; Raff, 

 Swedish ; Rev, Danish ; Tod, Scottish provincialism ; 

 Llwynog, and female Llwynoges, of the Welsh. 



The common fox (the representative of the sub- 

 genus Vulpes, characterized by a linear pupil and 

 a long bushy tail) is too well known to need a 

 minute description. This wily animal is common 

 in our island, and in most parts of Europe, extend- 

 ing into Northern Asia, and is everywhere celebrated 

 for its cunning and rapacity. As its linear pupil 

 intimates, the fox is crepuscular or nocturnal in its 

 habits, but is occasionally seen abroad during the 

 day. In general, however, it is as the dusk of the 

 evening advances that the fox steals from its bur- 

 row, with noiseless steps, to prowl about for prey. 

 His senses of smell and hearing are extremely keen, 

 and he listens, and snuffs the breeze, attentive to 

 every sound, appreciating every odour. His eyes 

 gleam, as he creeps along in a crouching attitude, 

 intent upon his prey. His movements are all 

 stealthy : he surprises the rabbit gambolling near 

 its burrow ; the hare in her form ; the poultry on 

 the perch. He slaughters all he can, reserving the 

 overplus for a future exigency, and for that purpose 

 buries it in the earth. In times of scarcity field- 

 mice, frogs, weasels, and even insects are devoured. 

 On the Continent the fox visits the vineyards, being 

 as partial to the ripe grapes as is the jackal. 



The fox is solitary in his habits, and dwells alone 

 in a burrow, which he has either made or usurped, 

 and which is generally in some secluded situation, 

 not readily to be discovered, and in the neighbour- 

 hood of a rabbit-warren, preserves of game, or farms. 

 The female breeds in April, and on her alone de- 

 volves the entire care of the cubs. She produces 

 three or four at a birth, in a deep burrow, where she 

 has prepared a bed of dried leaves, grass, and moss. 

 The young are very playful, and remain about four 

 months with their parent, who is watchful and u>- 

 solute to the extreme in their defence. Even when 



taken at an early age, the fox is not easily tamed, 

 never loses its innate suspiciousness, and never be- 

 comes truly domestic ; adults are ferocious when 

 placed in confinement, and soon die. Though 

 slightly made, the fox is very vigorous, and bites 

 with great severity. Its power of endurance and its 

 speed have in our country recommended it to all 

 lovers of the chase, for whose gratification the breed 

 is preserved, where possible. Foxes have been 

 known to run before the hounds fifty miles at a 

 stretch : when hard pressed, the animal neither loses 

 his courage nor self-possession ; he puts in practice 

 eYevy expedient which cunning dictates, to baffle 

 the hounds or conceal him from their search, and it 

 all fail, he dies defending himself to the last, with- 

 out uttering a cry. 



The voice of the fox is a sort of yelp, which, 

 however, it only occasionally exerts, and never 

 when in quest of prey. It is said by Bewick, and 

 we have often heard it affirmed, that the fox breeds 

 with the dog ; and have seen sharp-nosed dogs 

 called fox-dogs, and were at the same time assured 

 that they were a cross between the two animals, 

 but it has always so happened that the assertion 

 could not be substantiated. 



In Italy there exists an allied species of fox 

 (Canis (vulpes) melanogaster) closely allied to the 

 common species. To Dr. Riippel we are indebted 

 for a knowledge of the Vulpes famelicus, the Vulpes 

 variegatus, and the Vulpes pallidus, natives of 

 Nubia and the adjacent territories. 



922.— The Egyptian Fox 



(Canis Niloticus). In Egypt and Syria there is a 

 species of fox, called Tahaleb by the Copts, Sabora 

 by the Arabs ; it is the Canis iEgyptiaeus of Sonnini ; 

 the Canis Niloticus of Geoffroy. 



It. is the size of our common fox, but the ears 

 are wider apart and longer, and it stands somewhat 

 higher on the limbs. Foxes apparently of this 

 species are very abundant in the stony country 

 about Bethlehem, and are also numerous near the 

 convent of St. John in the desert, especially about 

 the vintage time, and are then very destructive in 

 the vineyards, which must be strictly watched in 

 order to prevent their incursions. These animals 

 live in burrows, and have the general habits of the 

 common European fox, to which they are nearly 

 related. 



923.— The Caama 



(Canis Caama). Of the African foxes, which are 

 numerous, our pictorial museum presents us with a 

 specimen of the Caama of the Cape of Good Hope 

 (Canis (vulpes) Caama), one of the smallest of its 

 race. A few individuals of this species are to be met 

 with within the limits of the colony, but its favourite 

 residence seems to be more to the northward ; though 

 there it is becoming less and less numerous, owing 

 to the skins being much in request among the natives 

 as a covering for the cold season. So important are 

 these skins considered, that many of the Bechuanas 

 are solely employed in hunting the animal down 

 with dogs, or laying snares in the places to which 

 they are known to resort. In common with other 

 foxes this is a great enemy to birds which lay their 

 eggs upon the ground ; and its movements in par- 

 ticular are closely watched by the ostrich during the 

 laying season. 



When the caama has surmounted all obstacles in 

 procuring eggs, he has to encounter the difficulty 

 of getting at their contents ; but even for this diffi- 

 culty his cunning finds an expedient, that, namely, 

 of pushing them forcibly along the ground, until they 

 come in contact with some substance hard enough 

 to break them, when the contents are speedily dis- 

 posed of. The natives, from having observed the 

 anxiety of the ostrich to keep this animal from 

 robbing her nest, avail themselves of this solicitude 

 to lure the bird to its destruction ; for, seeing that it 

 runs to the nest the instant a fox appears, they fasten 

 a dog near it, and conceal themselves close by, and 

 the ostrich, on approaching to drive away the sup- 

 posed fox, is frequently shot by the concealed 

 hunter. 



Of the Asiatic foxes we may notice the small 

 Indian insectivorous fox (Canis Bengalensis), found 

 in Bengal, and also in the Nepal hills: the fox of 

 the Dukhun, called Kokree by the Mahrattas 

 (Canis Kokree, Sykes). and the hill fox of the 

 Himalavan Mountains (Canis Himalaicus), remark- 

 able for the beauty of its fur. It is not uncommon 

 in Doon and in Kumaon. (See ' Proceeds. Zool. 

 Soc' 1836, p. 103.) 



924.— American Red Fox 



(Canis ftlhniSf var. decussalus) . It has been the 

 opinion of many naturalists, and even of Cuvier, 

 that the European fox extends over the northern 

 portion of the American continent; we consider, 

 however, that the red fox (Canis (vulpes) fulvus) of 



