These animals are distinguished from Wolves and Dogs by their longer and more bushy tail, and by their elongated and more pointed muzzle. They have a most offensive odor; and dig holes in the ground, wherein they reside and rear their young. They live upon Birds and other animals, but never attack any but such as have no power of resistance. The cunning of the Fox has always furnished a subject fertile in amusing anecdotes. Their attachment to their young is well illustrated in the following little narrative extracted from Mr. Lloyd’s “Scandinavian Adventures:”
“A Fox having slaughtered a whole flock of Goslings, M. Drougge, to whom they belonged, resolved to attack her and her cubs in their ‘earth.’ This, however, was so deep that night set in before any satisfaction could be obtained. Some days after, on revisiting the kula (or ‘earth’), it was found deserted, but, after some search, five cubs were found in a newly-made retreat, and deposited in an old hen-house belonging to the Lansmann, from whence, however, the mother nearly released them during the succeeding night; for in the morning the building was found undermined, and the half-rotten floor nearly bitten through. The cubs were now removed to an unoccupied room in the dwelling-house itself; and even here, by burrowing under the foundations of the building, as she was discovered to be doing during the two following nights, her attempts to free the prisoners were renewed. But the matter did not rest here; for one night shortly after, a continuous noise was heard in the attic, where, in consequence, the Lansmann proceeded to ascertain the cause of the disturbance. On his way up the stairs he was startled by an animal apparently resembling a Dog, running hastily past his legs, to which circumstance he at the time paid little attention; but as, when he reached the attic, he found everything quiet, he returned to his bed again. On the following morning, however, it was discovered that the Fox had been the cause of the uproar; for, with the intention of getting access to her cubs, she had been endeavoring to make an aperture in the chimney, and it then became perfectly clear that it was the Fox herself which, in her hurry to escape, had nearly upset the Lansmann, while mounting the steps the night before. The room below, in which the cubs were confined, was now examined, but they were nowhere to be seen. At length, however, their cries were heard in the flue of the stove, the whole of which structure it was necessary to take down before they could be extricated.”
THE FENNEC FOX.
The Fennec Fox is a remarkable little animal found in Nubia and other parts of Northern Africa, where it resides in burrows excavated in the sand. Its body, head included, does not measure more than thirteen inches in length, while its tail, which is very bushy, is about eight inches long. Its head is narrow, with a pointed muzzle. Its eyes are large, and the iris of a deep blue color; the sides of its face are margined by long thick whiskers, while its enormous ears, which are very broad at the base, erect, and pointed, give a very singular appearance. The hair covering the body is of a pale fawn or cream color, shading into white beneath.
Bruce describes the Fennec as being a white Weasel. He had several of these successively in his possession, and says: “They were all known by the name of Fennec, and no other, and said to inhabit the date villages, where they build their nests upon trees.” Of one, which he kept, he tells us: “Though his favorite food seemed to be dates or sweet fruit, yet I observed he was very fond of eggs. Pigeons’ eggs and small Birds’ eggs were first brought him, which he devoured with great avidity, but he did not seem to know how to manage the egg of a hen; when broken for him, however, he seemed to eat it with the same eagerness as the others. When he was hungry, he would eat bread, especially with honey or sugar. It was observable that a Bird, whether confined in a cage near him or flying across a room, engrossed his whole attention. He followed it with his eyes wherever it went, nor was he at this time to be diverted by placing biscuit before him, and it was obvious, by the great interest he seemed to take in its motions, that he was accustomed to watch for victories over it, either for his pleasure or his food. He seemed very much alarmed at the approach of a Cat, and endeavored to hide himself, but showed no symptom of preparing for any defence. He suffered himself, not without some difficulty, to be handled in the day, when he seemed rather inclined to sleep, but was exceedingly restless when night came, always endeavoring to make his escape, and though he did not attempt the wire, yet with his sharp teeth he soon mastered the wood of any common bird-cage.”
THE COMMON FOX.
The Common Fox is still found throughout Europe. For ages past it has had a reputation for cunning, which has given it great notoriety. “As cunning as a Fox” is one of the most common adages in the languages of nations.
The Fox never attacks animals capable of resistance. In the twilight it ventures out in quest of its prey, when it wanders silently around the country, prowling about the covers and hedges, hoping to surprise Birds, Rabbits or Hares, its usual prey.
If it fails to secure such delicate food, however, it will eat Field Mice, Lizards, Frogs, &c. It does not dislike certain fruits, and it is especially fond of grapes. To domestic Fowls it is terribly destructive. When during its nightly prowling the crow of a Cock strikes its ear, it turns at once in the direction of the welcome sound. It wanders around the poultry yard, examining and observing all the weak points by which an entrance might be gained. When at last successful in reaching the Hen-roost, a reckless carnage among its occupants is made, and this not so much to satisfy a craving for blood as to provide store for the future. With this object, one by one the victims are carried off, and concealed in the woods or its den.
If all efforts to enter the Hen-roost are unsuccessful, then Reynard undertakes to ruin it in detail, and to slay in one or more months those which he cannot kill in a day. With this intention he installs himself on the margin of a wood, close to the farm, and anxiously watches every movement of the poultry. If his prey wander into the fields, his attentions are doubled; seizing the moment when the Watch-dog is out of sight, he creeps towards them, draws near his victim without being seen, seizes, strangles and carries it off. When these manoeuvres have once succeeded, they are repeated till the poultry yard is empty.