Redcoat/Note to the Reader
Nearly all animal biographies are composite—that is, the life of the particular animal represented, is made up from facts drawn from many sources.
The naturalist very carefully collects all his own experiences with the special species and all those of his friends, as well as those of other writers in whom he has confidence. So all the authors' friends among hunters, trappers and woodsmen contribute to the story, the aim being to keep the story well within the known facts. In this way the author is enabled to give the reader a complete picture of the life of the animal under all conditions. Hence, it goes without saying, in describing the life of the animal by this composite method, more adventures befall the particular animal hero, than would ordinarily under normal conditions, but probably not many more than might befall an exceptional animal hero of the species. For there is great difference in animals, just as there is in folks. The lives of some people are drab and uninteresting, while others are colorful and full of adventure. So the Red Fox whose fortunes we follow in these pages is a fox born to adventure and narrow escapes, but none of his adventures are impossible in the life of a common red fox, who uses his wits and fights the battle of life as only a fox can.