CARNIVORA : CANID^E. 



39 



post-orbital process of the frontal bone being very con- 

 vex, and curving downwards, and by the circular pupil of 

 the eye. Wolves are crafty, ferocious, and greedy ; feeding 

 upon whatever they can kill, and also gorging themselves 

 upon the bodies of dead animals, which they scent at 

 great distances. They hunt in packs, and are thus able 

 to overpower animals which singly they could not master. 

 In newly settled districts wolves often make great havoc 

 among sheep, calves, and other domestic animals. 



Fig. 37- 



Wolf, C. occidentalis. 



The White and Gray Wolf, C. occidentalis, var. griseo- 

 albns, Rich., found throughout North America, is pure 

 white to grizzly gray. 



The Dusky Wolf, C. occidentalis, var. nubilis, Say, 

 found from the Missouri to the Pacific, is light sooty or 

 plumbeous brown. 



The Mexican Wolf, C. occidentalis, var. mcxicanus, Gm., 

 is gray and black, with neck more maned than usual, and 

 a dark band encircling the muzzle. 



The Black Wolf, C. occidentalis, var. atcr, Rich., of Flor- 

 ida and other Southern States, is wholly black. 



The Red Wolf, C. occidentalis, var. rufns, Aud. & Bach., 

 of Texas, is mixed red and black above, lighter beneath. 



The Prairie Wolf, or Coyote, C. latrans, Say, of the 



