THE AMERICAN FOX . 
269 
bushy, and partakes of the tints which predominate over the body, except at the tip, which is 
white. The height of this animal is about a foot, and its length about two feet and a half, 
exclusive of the tail. 
There are several species of Foxes, which are found in various parts of the globe, some 
of which, such as the American Fox, or Makkeeshaw, sometimes called the Cross Fox, the 
Kit Fox, and the Arctic Fox, are tolerably familiar animals. The American Fox is very 
variable in the color and markings of its fur, some specimens being of a pale yellow, some 
being blackish in their general tinting, and some of a reddish-fawn, while some specimens are 
remarkable for the manner in which the black, the white, the yellow, and the fawn are dispersed, 
over the body and limbs. In almost every specimen there is a darkish transverse stripe over 
the shoulders, giving to the animal the title of Cross Fox. 
SILVER FOX OF OUR SOUTHERN STATES. — V'ulpes f ulvus. 
This animal has its full share of the crafty spirit which is so notable in the nature of ail 
Foxes. One of them, on whose track the hounds had been often laid, used always to baffle 
them at one particular point, the crest of a rather steep hill. Up to this spot the scent was 
perfectly good ; but at that particular spot the scent vanished, and so the Fox was lost. One 
of the disappointed hunters was so indignant at his repeated failures that he determined to 
lay aside the chase for a day, and to devote himself to the discovery of the means by which 
the creature could so invariably escape from the hounds and men. He therefore concealed 
himself near the charmed spot, and watched with much interest the proceedings of the hunted 
animal. 
The Fox, after being driven from his cover, led the hounds a long chase through woods, 
ponds, and thickets, and at last came at full speed towards the crest of the hill. As soon as 
he had reached the spot, he laid himself down and pressed himself as closely as possible to the 
ground. Presently the hounds came along in full cry, and with a blazing scent, darting over 
the hill in hot pursuit, and never stopping until they reached the bottom of the hill. As soon 
as the last hound had passed, the Fox resumed his legs, crept quietly over the brow of the 
hill, and returned to his covert at leisure. 
Another of these creatures made use of a very cunning device for the same purpose. In 
this instance, he always led his pursuers to the edge of a cliff that rose perpendicularly for 
several hundred feet, and then disappeared. The hunters had often examined the spot, and 
unsuccessfully, for it seemed that no wingless animal could venture to take such a fearful leap. 
The secret was, however, at last discovered by a concealed spy. The crafty Fox was seen 
coming quite at his leisure to the edge of the cliff, and then to look down, Some ten feet 
