MAMMALS—CANIDAE—VULPES FULVUS. 
127 
List of specimens. 
Catalogue 
number. 
Corresponding 
No. of skull. 
Sex & 
age. 
Locality. 
When 
collected. 
Whence obtained. 
Nature of 
specimen. 
962 
2005 
$ 
Middleboro, Mass_ 
Nov., 1855 
J. W. P. Jenks.._.... 
Skin._ 
269 
1212 
Cleveland, Ohio_-_ 
Mar., 1854 
Dr. Ackley __ _ 
do 
1409 
2256 
Elizabethtown, N. Y.._ 
Dr. S. E. Hale_ 
--do.- . 
1430 
2293 
o 
Middleboro, Mass.-.-.-_ 
J. W. P. Jenks.......... 
2041 
3086 
Washington, D. C_ 
Dr. Nichols.._ 
Head 
The cross fox is the second marked variety of the red fox of the United States, so called from 
the presence of a black cross, formed by a dark hand along the hack, crossed by another on the 
shoulder. This variety is seldom seen as far south as Pennsylvania, hut in northern New York 
it is not uncommon. In general form it resembles the red variety closely, but is perhaps a little 
larger, with more bushy tail. The under surfaces of the feet likewise are more densely covered 
with woolly hair. There is a good deal of yellowish rufous visible on the back and sides, which 
is quite vivid on the flanks and side of the neck. The upper part of the head, (exclusive of 
muzzle,) the posterior half of the back, with the outside of the shoulders and thighs, have the 
basal fur a dusky-brown, darkest on the median line, the long hairs black, with a broad 
subterminal annulation of yellowish white of a much grayer tint on the head and shoulders, 
which variegates the color very much. The dorsal region between the shoulders is also similarly 
marked; hut a great preponderance of black almost obscures the lighter colors, and with a 
similar proportion of black evident at the upper part of the shoulders, causes the appearance of a 
black cross at this point. The sides of the neck and of the body are pure reddish yellow, the basal 
fur being nearly white. This color extends towards the median line of the hack, just behind the 
shoulders, leaving an interval of only a few inches on the middle of the hack, and relieving very 
much the posterior angles of the cross. The muzzle, legs, and under parts generally, including 
the inside of the limbs, with the convexity of the ears, are black. The long tail-hairs are 
grayish or yellowish red, and black at their tips, impressing this color on the exterior of the 
tail; the tip of the tail, however, is entirely white. 
In several specimens of cross foxes from Fort Dalles, I can see no difference from the one 
described above from Ogdenshurg, except that the tail is a little longer and fuller. In one there 
is only a more reddish tinge in the light spaces on the sides. These may possibly belong to V. 
macrourus. 
List of specimens. 
Catalogue 
number. 
Locality. 
When 
collected. 
Whence obtained. 
Original 
number. 
79 
Ogdenshurg, N. Y......._ 
W. E. Guest..... 
1019 
Fort Dalles, O. T_____ 
Jan., 1855 
Dr. George Suckley_ 
57 
1020 
_do.... 
58 
