There are two species of fox around here: the beautiful red fox and its smaller cat-like cousin, the gray fox. They can easily be distinguished by noting the tips of their tails. The red fox has a white-tipped tail, the gray fox has a black-tipped tail.

I'm not sure which one disappeared over the hilltop recently, because I was busy looking at the color of our rooster's tail sticking out of the fox's mouth.

As much as I hate losing our poultry, on the rare occasions that I get to briefly view a fox I am always struck by their stealth, intelligence and beauty. And somehow I can't hold their taste for chickens against them.

After all, I know this is the time of year fox kits are born, and that means fox parents have to gather more food than usual, often hunting during daylight to feed all the hungry mouths in the den. Even though the state's Wildlife Resource Commission lists the fox as a rabies vector species along with the raccoon, skunk and bat and doesn't permit their rehabilitation, I don't get too worried about daylight sightings in the spring and early summer. Except sightings near my poultry.

If you have questions about fox or other wildlife, call Piedmont Wildlife Center at (919) 524-9453 or go to www.piedmontwildlifecenter.org.