ARCTIC FOX. 
95 
ters, instead of returning to the north. The colonies they found are 
however soon extirpated by their numerous enemies. A few breed at 
Churchill, and some young ones are occasionally seen in the vicinity of 
York factory. There are from three to five young ones in a litter.” 
The trap in which the Arctic Fox is taken by the Esquimaux, is 
described by authors as simple : it consists of a little hut built of stones, 
with a square opening on the top, over which some blades of whalebone 
are extended nearly across so as to form an apparently secure footing, 
although only. fastened at one end, so that when the animal comes on to 
them to get the bait they bend downward and the Fox is precipitated into 
the hut below, which is deep enough to prevent his jumping out, the more 
especially because the whalebone immediately rises again to its position, 
and the bait being fastened thereto, several Foxes may be taken succes- 
sively. Other traps are arranged so that a flat stone falls on the Fox when 
he by pulling at the bait disengages the trigger. These Foxes are also 
caught in traps made of ice (in which wolves are taken at times by the 
Esquimaux). These traps are thus described by Dr. Richardson, and are 
certainly composed of the last material we, dwellers in more favoured 
lands, would think of for the purpose : “ The Esquimaux wolf-trap is made 
of strong slabs of ice, long and narrow, so that a Fox can with difficulty 
turn himself in it, but a wolf must actually remain in the position in which 
he is taken. The door is a heavy portcullis of ice, sliding in two well- 
secured grooves of the same substance, and is kept up by a line, which, 
passing over the top of the trap, is carried through a hole at the farthest 
extremity ; to the end of the line is fastened a small hoop of whalebone, 
and to this any kind of flesh-bait is attached. From the slab which termi- 
nates the trap, a projection of ice or a peg of wood or bone points inwards 
near the bottom, and under this the hoop is slightly hooked ; the slightest 
pull at the bait liberates it, the door falls in an instant, and the wolf (or 
Fox) is speared where he lies.” 
In speaking of the Sooty Fox , which is only a variety of the present 
species, Dr. Richardson says : “ On one occasion during our late coasting 
voyage round the northern extremity of America, after cooking our supper 
on a sandy beach, we had retired to repose in the boats, anchored near the 
shore, when two Sooty Foxes came to the spot where the fire had been 
made, and carrying off all the scraps of meat that were left there, buried 
them in the sand above high water mark. We observed that they hid 
every piece in a separate place, and that they carried the largest pieces 
farthest off.” 
