THE GRAY FOX. 
^5 I HE on ly Foxes that are hunted 
t I (the others only being taken 
qJ I by means of traps or poison) 
are the Red and Gray species 
The Gray Fox is a more southern 
species than the Red and is rarely 
found north of the state of Maine. 
Indeed it is said to be not common 
anywhere in New England. In the 
southern states, however, it wholly 
replaces the Red Fox, and, according 
to Hallock, one of the best authorities 
on game animals in this country, 
causes quite as much annoyance to the 
farmer as does that proverbial and 
predatory animal, the terror of the 
hen-roost and the smaller rodents. 
The Gray Fox is somewhat smaller 
than the Red and differs from him in 
being wholly dark gray "mixed hoary 
and black." He also differs from his 
northern cousin in being able to climb 
trees. Although not much of a runner, 
when hard pressed by the dog he will 
often ascend the trunk of a leaning 
tree, or will even climb an erect one, 
grasping the trunk in his arms as 
would a Bear. Nevertheless the Fox 
is not at home among the branches, 
and looks and no doubt feels very 
much out of place while in this predic- 
ament. The ability to cHmb, however, 
often saves him from the hounds, who 
are thus thrown off the scent and 
Reynard is left to trot home at his 
leisure. 
Foxes live in holes of their own 
making, generally in the loamy soil of 
a side hill, says an old Fox hunter, 
and the she-Fox bears four or five cubs 
at a litter. When a fox-hole is dis- 
covered by the Farmers they assemble 
and proceed to dig out the inmates 
who have lately, very likely, been 
making havoc among the hen-roosts. 
An amusing incident, he relates, which 
came under his observation a few 
years ago will bear relating. A farmer 
discovered the lair of an old dog Fox 
by means of his hound, who trailed 
the animal to his hole. This Fox had 
been making large and nightly inroads 
into the poultry ranks of the neighbor- 
hood, and had acquired great and 
unenviable notoriety on that account. 
The farmer and two companions, 
armed with spades and hoes, and 
accompanied by the faithful hound, 
started to dig out the Fox. The hole 
was situated on the sandy slope of a 
hill, and after a laborious and con- 
tinued digging of four hours, Reynard 
was unearthed and he and Rep, the 
dog, were soon engaged in deadly 
strife. The excitement had waxed 
hot, and dog, men, and Fox were all 
struggling in a promiscuous melee. 
Soon a burly fanner watching his 
chance strikes wildly with his hoe- 
handle for Reynard's head, which is 
scarcely distinguishable in the maze of 
legs and bodies. The blow descends, but 
alas ! a sudden movement of the hairy 
mass brings the fierce stroke upon 
the faithful dog, who with a wild howl 
relaxes his grasp and rolls with bruised 
rnd bleeding head, faint and powerless 
on the hillside. Reynard takes advan- 
tage of the turn affairs have assumed, 
and before the gun, which had been 
laid aside on the grass some hours 
before, can be reached he disappears 
over the crest of the hill. 
Hallock says that an old she-Fox 
with young, to supply them with food, 
will soon deplete the hen-roost and 
destroy both old and great numbers of 
very young chickens. They generally 
travel by night, follow regular runs, 
and are exceedingly shy of any inven- 
tion for their capture, and the use of 
traps is almost futile. If caught in a 
trap, they will gnaw off the captured 
foot and escape, in which respect they 
fully support their ancient reputation 
for cunning. 
1 06 
