18 
mally colored parents. They have no special geographical distribution, although, on 
the whole, both kinds are rather northerly than otherwise, the Silver Foxes especially 
so. It does not appear to be ascertained exactly how far the styles of pelage tend to 
perpetuate themselves; that is to say, in what proportion of cases a cross will produce 
a cross litter, or a black a black litter; but the inter-breeding of the several varieties, 
and their purely accidental origin, from parents of the normal coloration are incontest- 
ible.”—[Coues and Yarrow, Zool. Ep]., W. 100 Merid., V. 1875, 53.] 
The same authorities state there is no reasonable question of the 
specific identity of the American and European Red Fox. The same 
color variations occur in both. Prof. Baird (Mam. N. A., 1857, p. 180) 
surmises, from the absence of any fossil remains of the Red Fox in the 
Carlisle (Penn.) and other bone caves, in which the Gray Fox is abund- 
antly represented, that there is basis for the somewhat prevalent belief 
that the Red Fox of Eastern A merica is the descendant of the European Fox 
imported and run wild many years ago, as did the horses imported and 
set at liberty by the Spaniards. This might account for its abundance 
in settled districts, but scarcely allows time for its universal distribution 
over a continent. Couesand Yarrow (Zool. Expl., W. 100 Merid., V. 1875, 
64) think it a more reasonable hypothesis that, with many other Ameri- 
can mammals, it had an original circumpolar distribution in warmer 
times, and has spread southward in both hemispheres, developing geo- 
graphical distinctions of race, but not distinct species. The differences, 
as observed by Audubon, are all comparative, and not positive. With 
ample opportunity for comparison, he says the American Red Fox “isa 
little the largest; its legs are less robust; its nose shorter and more 
pointed ; the eyes nearer together; its feet and toes more thickly clothed 
with fur; its ears shorter; it has a finer and larger brush; and its fur is 
much softer, finer, and of a brighter color.” 
DIMENSIONS OF ANY OF THE AMERICAN VARIETIES, 
Nose ‘to, root.of taller ce mes crac mmetetatnnie aie at eie ereereaeiateietoets 2-24 feet. 
Pall torend*otsDONes 2s seaos eccecen Sune ees elo nies sec neleoeers 12-15 inches. 
Tailtovend of hairs coe cee sas etme ms oi uo wcic lows Sue eceetoner 15-19 * 
Heightiotiearsecs eee seats serie keg IWS aie aa 2) PARTS (ok 2 eae 24-98 6 
Heichtratishouldorstassasem sclebeotenie asics ereceecorelisiseiersiecicise 12-13 ¢ 
SkallSainglengthyandiwidtheeemassiesisccmmccssacisewcelsicis carsales 54¢x3 f 
Regarding the occurrence of the Red Fox in Ohio, and its taking the 
place of the Gray Fox, Dr. Kirtland writes as follows: 
C. (Vulpes) fuluus—‘‘ The Red Fox was unknown in this region of eountry until the 
introduction of the white'population, and is supposed by many not to have been originally 
a native of America. It has now become a common and troublesome inhabitant.” 
