The Fennec is found in the whole of Africa, and has also been described as occurring at Bushire, on the shores of the Persian Gulf. It was first noticed by the African traveller, Bruce, who kept a specimen as a pet. The favourite food of this animal “consisted of dates or any sweet fruit; but he was also very fond of eggs. He would eat bread when hungry, more especially if it was rendered palatable by honey or sugar. The sight of a bird aroused him to eager watchfulness as long as it was present; and a Cat was his aversion. He would endeavour to hide from the latter, but never showed a disposition to resist or defend himself. The animal was disposed to sleep by day, but as night came on he became restless to excess. Bruce never heard it utter any sound. He says that the animal is described in many Arabian books under the name of El Fennec, by which appellation he states that it is known all over Africa; and he conceives that the word is derived from the Greek Phoinix, a palm or date-tree, adding that the animal builds his nest on trees, and does not burrow in the earth.”

The fondness of the Fennec for vegetable food is curious, as most of the wild Canidæ have so marked a preference for animal food. Bruce’s statement quite bears out the main fact in the old fable of “The Fox and the Grapes,” as well as that in the “Song of Songs”—“Take us the Foxes, the little Foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.”

On the shores of the Persian Gulf, the Fennec is sometimes hunted with Dogs, and will often take to the sea to escape from its enemies. Fennec-hunting is likely to be good sport, as the long-eared little creature is extremely plucky and enduring. In Africa, according to Sir John Kirk, “these animals hunt in packs. Although inferior in speed to the Antelope, they will run him down, and at last wear him out; even the Buffalo they are said sometimes to kill.”

FENNECS AND JERBOAS.

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THE LONG-EARED FOX.[133]

This very extraordinary little animal is found only in South Africa. It has somewhat the appearance of a Fennec, but the bushy tail is straight and comparatively short, being not more than half the length of the body and head, which together are about two feet long. The ears are of great size, and the snout is very short and pointed. The skin is of a greyish-yellow colour, white beneath, and the tail is darker than the rest of the body. It differs from all other Canidæ in having no less than six additional molar teeth, two on each side of the upper, one on each side of the lower jaw.[134] Some of the teeth, too, show an approximation in form to those of the Civets. For these reasons it is, like the two following animals, placed in a separate genus from the rest of the Canidæ.

THE RACOON DOG.[135]