J48 NATURAL HISTORY, 



outcry from the shepherd was heard, when to our astonishment the carcass 

 of a sheep was being triumphantly carried away by the wolves in fragments, the 

 Hybrid " wolf dog," as he is called, acting as a pioneer (but without the dainty 

 piece of mutton), heading the marauders. One of them made direct towards 

 a bush, when the three whelps came out. Chase was given, and on seizing one 

 it bit a man slightly, when it was soon despatched to its long home ! The one 

 now sent (1st February) also showed fight, and resisted his capture for a long time, 

 but was soon coaxed, and secured ; the third made its escape with its mother and 

 her confreres. For the first three days (12 to 15th January) the pup seemed very 

 unhappy, and sulky, but had a voracious appetite for raw meat. After a time 

 he gradually became very tame, so much so that my children played with him. 

 This may be considered rather an imprndent act, but he appeared so happy and: 

 contented in their arms, I concluded, that he had domestic blood in him like 

 his noble grandfather, the village pariah I The whelp was under domestication 

 for eighteen days. 



From the same pack there were three Hybrids: — 



No. 1 — brought up by the special magistrate at Mahona — is now prowling 

 about in that vicinity and Rajah-Dewalgaon, quite domesticated; she will not 

 reside with her master or in one place ; but goes roaming from one village 

 to another in the vicinity, and does not associate with her parents. She ha» 

 never been known to bite any one, but is said to be a renowned thief. I have 

 always seen her escorted b,y an intrepid village cur, who seems to be quite 

 delighted with her agreeable company, in having a charming wife of mixed 

 parentage I 



No. 2 was shot by a Mr. Burns of Berar, when capturing No. 3, early 

 in 1886, at about the same place as I got mine. 



No. 3 was quite a pet, but very mischievous with her thieving propensities. 

 She frequently occupied a dark room during the day, and making her exit at; 

 nights, would steal clothes, hats, boots, &c., and deposit them in different 

 bungalows. The poor thing was killed, wilfully I was told. 



From the above, facts, it is possible that within the next 25 years the wolves 

 in this vicinity may in time become domesticated. The first Hybrid was known in 

 1885, I believe, and is the one now with the pack. Eminent Naturalists have 

 decided that the anatomical structure of the wolf, its habits, and physical 

 development are very closely allied to the dog; especially in its osteology, 

 which does not at all differ. The only difference is in their oblique eyes. 

 There can be no doubt that the dog and wolf will readily breed and their progeny 

 prove fertile. The above will suffice as an instance in India. There is no gain- 

 saying the fact, that they are mortal and irreconcilable foes, and poor doggie 

 sometimes provides a dainty morsel to its supposed great grandparents ; but 

 yet they are known to follow domestic dogs in pursuit of smaller mammals. We 

 are told that two species of the wolf, Canis Lupus and C. latrans — the latter 

 known as the " Coyote''— (" Meesteh chaggonish ") or " Prairie wolf "—are the 

 originators of a,ll the canine species V Then why could they not breed and be 

 made tameable and just as affectionate as our domestic dogs— Canis familiaris. 



If I remember rightly, it is on record that a lady in Italy had a very tame and 

 affectionate wolf, which followed her like a spaniel. Business took the lady frou^ 



