SWIFT FOX. 
17 
drink any, and was not supplied with it for two or three months. Proba- 
bly in a wild state all predatory animals drink more than when in con- 
finement, for they are compelled to take so much exercise in the pursuit 
of their prey, that the evaporation of fluids, by perspiration, must go on 
rapidly ; besides which, they would probably often try to appease the 
cravings of hunger by drinking freely, when unable to procure sufficient 
food. 
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 
The Swift Fox appears to be found on the plains of the Columbia river 
valley, as well as the open countiy of the region in which it has generally 
been observed, the extensive prairies of the eastern side of the Rocky 
Mountains. 
It does not appear to be an inhabitant of New Mexico, Texas or Cali- 
fornia, as far as our information on the subject extends. 
GENERAL REMARKS. 
Our esteemed friend. Sir John Richardson, (Fauna Boreali Americana, 
p. 98,) has supposed that Schreber’s description of Cunis cinereo argen- 
(atus, applied to this species, and hence adopted his specific name, to the 
exclusion of Say’s name of C. Velox. In our first volume, (p. 172,) we 
explained our views on this subject. In the descriptions of C. Virgmianiis 
of ScHREBER, and C. Argenteus, Erx., they evidently described mere varie- 
ties of the gray lox, ( V. Virginianus) ; we have consequently restored 
Say’s specific name, and awarded to him the credit of having been the 
first scientific describer of this animaL 
