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 The stands a little apart from its numerous family. It is found in the most northern part of America, Greenland, and the great Arctic islands. It is especially famous for its fur. During the late fall it is a beautiful gray color, which makes it valuable in the market. In the depth of winter it is very heavy and silky and turns to a pure white, but at other times of the year it changes its coat very rapidly, assuming unsightly colors. Explorers and naturalists who have visited the Arctic regions at various times have described it as the "pied" fox, others as the "sooty" fox, and others as the "blue" fox; but it has since been proved that they are one and the same animal seen at different times of the year.

They are over-bold, being easy to approach within gun-shot, and they do not display the clever tricks for keeping out of traps like their brethren. They live in burrows, like the red fox, and in size are slightly smaller, measuring about three feet, including the tail.

Owing to persecution, the Arctic fox is not nearly as plentiful as it was; in fact, it has already vanished from some localities, where it used to live in great numbers. If the demand for its fur continues, it will probably be exterminated.