Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-05-18
misunderstood
ING AS TO NATURE
RED and GRAY FOXES

The following very interesting arti.
Gle on the nature of red and gray
ioAes Is from the pen of c. L. Cham
oerlain Of Osseo, Mich, and appeared
In the May 13 issue of Maine Woods:
IN some quarters there seems to be
misunderstanding as to the nature
OF red and gray foxes. The latter
is sometimes mistaken for the val
uable silver gray or white-tipped
black fox the furs of both Of which
sell for their hundreds. In reality
there is little real difference between
the common red fox and the common
gray fox. So far as their furs are
concerned the red fox is the more
valuable. In many sections both va
rleties live apparently in harmony.
In others. trappers report that an
. increase in the number of reds al
ways means a decrease of grays and
the opposite. Like squirrels the red
variety seems not to be at perfect
peace with his brethren of a differ
ent color.
THE gray fox is more common IN
the south and those states bordering
the line commonly drawn between
the so-called northern and southern
states. The red fox is more COM
| monty found in the east especially in
the New England States. AS with
most animals it is next to impossi-
Bile to draw strict dividing line by
which to outline the grounds of both
varieties.
Let US consider some of the pecul-
iarles OF difference between the
red and gray foxes. The gray fox
is inclined to remain more within
timbered land than the red. From
this fact it has doubtless drawn it's
habit Of tree climbing, popularity
not at all common to foxes in gen.
eral. Stories are told Of the gray
fox pursued by hounds having taken
to trees with all the agility Of a
cat. This habit permits it to per-
form tricks tending to outwit the
best of hounds since it may pass in
to an adjoining tree and descend at
considerable distance from it's place
Of ascent. During severe weather
it sometimes holes up underground
like it's red brother and sometimes
seeks shelter in a hollow tree. At
other times it prefers to lie out In
the brush where it has a good view
Of its surroundings.
"The red fox is probably one of
the most cunning of all animals.
The gray fox on the whole is gcncr-
ally considered to be trifle infer
icr in. its ability to perform tricks
on its pursuers but it is able to out
Wit the hounds Of the best of packs
when the occasion arises. 1t is not
so fleet of foot as the red and is
more given to running in circles
While the red not infrequently leads
its pursuers straight away for man.
miles before turning. Its habit
Of taking to tree renders it more
easily caught than the red since the
latter when tired of running will
often hole up in an extensive under
ground den.
May is the usual month for the
birth of the young of gray foxes.
The number four to six, may some-
low tree. The food eaten by old
and young is much TIE same as that
Of the red fox varying of course
with the season and latitude. 1t
may be heard at night barking t.
a mate from some hill or other
prominence though when actually
Gu. for food 1t becomes as silent as
its red brother. Both will glide
over the ground around a hennery or
bunch Of sleeping quail having
more the appearance Of shadowy
spectres than very much alive flesh
and blood creations as their poor
victims soon learn"