The National tribune., 1889-12-05

America and Australia. OF these specific forms
all the fennec foxes are exclusively African,
and all the bristle-tailed species American.
For the rest, anything like an adequate descrip-
ton of their respective peeuliarities would
probably be very tresome, aud the subject
must, therefore. be considered more generally,
and at the same time, unfortunately, more
specifically.
DIR. Jerdon describes tho fox of India
as about 81 inches in length (measured
from tip TO tip) from foot to Ii inches In
hight, and hc gives its average weight as
seven pounds. II varies n good DEAL he
says, Z" in the shades OF color in different local
ties, and according TO season."
THE ANIMAL IS FOUND ALL OVER INDIA,
and he enumcrates several species Bengal
fox, TO which tho above statements apply, and
tho desert, hill, aud Puniab foxes-which
differ from each in the texture and shading
of tho coat. in their habitats and habits
Of life. in size, and in the conformation of
their heads The Indian fox lives in the
plains, aud els rarely found in forests" but
unlike tho southern species in this country,
he inhabits burrows similarly with the red
fox of America and Europe This Bengal
species Is said by Jerdon TO be easily tanned"
and quite frolicsome in captivity, trait which.
III truly described, establishes a marked psyche
logical difference between the Indian and the
European aud American animals, which are
we'll nigh untamable, detest all strangers
while in captivity. and are, says the writer in
the Encyclopedia Britannica. only capable of so
much attachment 10 man as will prevent them
from biting tho hand that feeds them. Again,
these Indian foxes of the plains are depreda-
tors of the worst kind upon the Hindu agrieul-
turist; while here, the gray southern fox so
rarely touches domestic fowls that Audubon
and Bachman say they never heard of
well. authenticated instance" of its having
gt,aa. lnfta de-
tho woods. Another general fact belonging TO
the Asatic group is that, as said by Jerdon
and others, IL is very subject to hydrOphobia.
Such is certainly not the case with either the
gray or red species of America, and although the
Arctic foxes occasionally 90 mad in both hems-
pheres, aud rabies was at one time epidemic
among those of the Baltic States and the Same
disease occurs sporadically in Scandinavia now,
yet nothing that could be called predisposi-
ton to 10 is known to exist among these animals
elsewhere.
Foxes as a class, cannot be said to have a
special breeding season, AS this varies among
them according TO climate; but, generally. the
period of CESSATION is about go or 90 days, and
the number of cubs ranges from four. TO nine.
Jerdon states that four cubs constitute the al
most inyariable litter of an Indian vixen, but
this is not the case anywhere else. About three
months sutiices for the young to develop suili-
GENTLY to take care of themselves, and then
and always, with certain very rare exceptions
reported by different observers they live soil
tary lives, and unless compelled by unusual
circumstances are nocturnal animals every
where but in the far north. The north also Is
the home Of the red fox on both continents. In
the Himalayas this animal. which is much like
that of Northern aud Central Europe and of
North America, is nearly twice as heavy as
its allied species of the lowlands; and, further,
both in Europe Asia aud America this rufous
fa,< do all tka.
ming and predatory capacity and propensity.
Whether or not the common fox of Europe Is
Identical with tho red species here, need not
be now considered. Its fur is said to be- finer,
its color brighter. its head narrower and less
massive, its muzzle sharper, aud it may be per-
haps somewhat larger. Both are, however,
daring and determined robbers,
BOTH EXTREMELY BLooDfHIRsTY,
and 1t is around this species that tradition and
superstition have gathered such mass of folk
lore as places il among the most prominent of
all animals in Western literature and art.
On this continent the range of the red fox
connects itself TO the northward with that of
the Arctic speces-Vulpes lagopus, one of the
smallest and much the most beautiful OF vul-
pine forms-and thence it extends south to
Georgia. In the other direction, it is found
from the east coast westward beyond the Rocky
Mountains, but does not reach the Pacific The
two varieties of this species, namely, the black
or silver and tho cross fox, have much more
restricted distribution and may be said to be
practically confined to high northern latitudes.
Beyond the red fox, toward the pole, Vupes
lagopus stretches all around the Arctic Circle.
In Summer this graceful, delicate little crea-
ture with its volnminous brush, is of blue or
brownish gray, and in Winter it is white The
fur is very fine and valuable, and this animal is
said by Prof. Newton and Capt. Fielder to have
the remarkable popularity of laying up store
of food for Winter use although from all ac-
counts of Its habits, this supply appears never
to be sufficient for its necessities.
South of the latitude in which the red fox