THE RED FOX, AND VARIETIES 
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The Red Fox . 1 — Of the many handsome and 
valuable species of foxes inhabiting North 
America, our wise old friend, the Red Fox, is 
the one most widely distributed, and the best 
Sanborn, Photo., N. Y. Zoological Park. 
RED FOX. 
known. Between the southern Alleghenies and 
Point Barrow it appears in coats of many dif- 
ferent shades, but everywhere it is recognizable 
by the prevailing yellowish-red color from which 
it derives its name. It is palest in the desert 
regions, where shade is scarce, and brightest 
in the forest regions and Alaska, where the 
bleaching power of the sun is not so great. The 
largest and finest skins come from Alaska. 
The range of the Red Fox is very wide. From 
North Carolina and Tennessee it extends through 
the whole northeastern United States, westward 
to Montana and northward to the limit of trees. 
It is the most common fox in Alaska, wherever 
there are trees. It is so cunning, and so well 
able to take care of itself, even in populous coun- 
tries, that it refuses to be exterminated. The 
length of an average specimen is 24 4- 13 
inches; height, 13 inches. 
There is little pleasure to be derived from 
foxes kept in captivity as pets. They are very 
nervous, easily frightened, and, as a rule, are 
totally lacking in all the sentiments which re- 
semble affection. Nevertheless, we have seen, 
and also owned, Red Foxes that were tame, 
and trustworthy when handled. 
The Cross Fox is really a color phase of the 
red fox, marked by black legs and under parts, 
a dark-colored cross on the shoulders, steel-gray 
body and head, and a big black tail with a snow- 
1 Vul'pes ful'vus. 
white tip. There is a reddish patch behind the 
fore-leg, and another on the side of the neck. 
In my opinion a really typical Cross Fox is the 
handsomest fox in the world, far more beautiful 
than the much-sought “silver fox.” Some 
day it will attract the appreciation it deserves, 
and be sought accordingly. It stands between 
the red and the black foxes, and grades into 
both. It is found in Manitoba, Alberta, British 
Columbia, and Alaska, and occasionally in Idaho 
and Utah. 
The Black Fox, commonly called the “Sil- 
ver Gray” Fox (although there is no silvery color 
about it, save its tail-tip), enjoys the distinction 
of having the highest price on his head that 
is offered for any fur-bearer. In March, 1900, 
a single skin of this animal sold at auction in 
London for $2,784; and it is not at all uncom- 
mon for extra fine skins to sell in this country at 
from $600 to $1,200. They are worth so much 
as furs for the very wealthy that zoological 
gardens cannot afford to purchase live speci- 
mens for exhibition. Their exhibition value 
is far below their fur value. 
Like the cross fox, this is only a color phase 
of the typical red fox, but commercially the 
two forms are so distinct, and so sharply defined 
in dollars and cents, that they demand separate 
notice. 
Drawn by J. Carter Beard. 
BLACK, OR “ SILVER ” FOX. 
A subspecies of the Red Fox. 
With the exception of its snow-white tail-tip, 
and a few scattering white hairs on the top of 
the hind quarters, a typical Black Fox is jet 
black. This form inhabits the same localities 
as the cross fox, and is much given to mixing 
with it, which causes many variations from their 
