634 
THE LIVING WORLD. 
The Caama, or Asse ( Vulpes caama or zaarensis ), is hunted in South 
Africa for its skin. It, like the fennec, is extravagantly fond of eggs, which 
it opens by pushing them before it until they strike against a stone or some 
other hard substance. It has been driven northward by persistent hunting, 
silver fox. fennecs ( Vulpes zerda). 
and while very scarce around the Cape, is in no immediate danger of becoming 
extinct. 
The Fennec ( Vulpes zerda , or Megatolis fennec ) is a graceful little African crea¬ 
ture, whose cream-colored or fawn-colored body is set off by a bushy tail, whose 
baseand tip are black. Its slender body, sharp nose and large, pointed ears give 
it a resemblance to the fox, while its blue eyes peeping forth from its long full- 
bearded face, result in a very cunning appear¬ 
ance. It is valued as a pet because of its grace, 
its timidity, and its mere semblance of a bark; 
but it is held in no less esteem since it fur¬ 
nishes one of the most desirable of furs. It 
is found from the Cape of Good Hope as far 
north as Tunis. It is specially fond of ostrich 
eggs, whose shells it breaks by rolling them 
against the rocks. It can climb trees, but 
lives in shallow burrows, which it makes in the 
sand. The excellence of its fur, and the small 
size of its robe render a garment of fennec 
skin rare, costly and desirable. 
The Corsac (Vulpes corsac) is celebrated 
as having been the favorite pet of the courtiers 
of Charles IX. of France. It belongs to Cen¬ 
tral Asia, and is no larger than a house-cat. 
The Bengal Dog ( Vulpes bengalensis) is a 
nearly related species, as is also the American Swift Fox (Vulpes velox). The 
African Fox (Vulpes niloticus) , in the north, and (Vulpes adustci) in the south, will 
be found mentioned in books of travel. The Cross Fox (Vulpes fulvus or 
decussatus) is so-called because of a dark stripe on its shoulders. It is com¬ 
mon in so well-settled a State as New York. 
