FOX SHARK, or See THRESHER.
a large harmless snake vulpinus) of the northern Mississippi Valley, light brown in color, marked on the back with small chocolate spots bordered by black, and with a series of smaller spots along the sides and on the yellowish abdomen. It reaches a length of three feet, is irritable and pugnacious, and feeds upon small mammals, especially gophers, mice and other pests of agri culture.
a large American spar row (Passerella iliaca), notable for its foxy red plumage, and gay song. It is a spring-and fall migrant in the United States, breeding only north of the Saint Lawrence. Sec SPAiutow.
the largest of the true squirrels (Sciuriss niger). These rusty-coated squirrels are denizens of woods. They live in hollow trees or high among the branches, in nests of dry grass, and feed upon fruits, berries, mushrooms and seeds of various trees. They have been hunted until they have become some what scarce in the woods north of Virginia; but southward, they are far more numerous. The flesh is esteemed as food especially in Florida. Though safe from the depredations of preying birds, because of their size and strength, fox squirrels are attacked by the foxes and wild cats, which kill and eat them.
a small terrier dog modi fied from the old-fashioned English white ter rier of uncertain origin. It has a dense smooth coat white, with black or black-and-tan mark ings; and a small black nose; and it generally weighs between 15 and 20 pounds, when in good condition. The fox-terrier has a narrow, ta pering face, and small, deep-set eyes, usually gentle, but capable of an expression of keen animation; the jaws are strong and well-shaped; and the V-shaped' ears droop forward close to the cheek. The compact little body is set on straight, supple legs, and the tail, usually docked, is carried in a rather jaunty fashion. The dog's appearance is one of alertness; and, though originally bred to run the fox to earth, fox-terriers have, latterly, become popular not only as vermin-destroyers about stables, but as house-dogs, their cleanly, sprightly and affec tionate ways rendering them extremely amiable and entertaining as companions. One variety, the 'wire-haired," has a rather long coat, of rather shaggy appearance. In all Other points this is like the smooth-coated variety. See Doc.