THE WOLF 



THERE is perhaps no other animal about 

 which more disagreeable things are said 

 and written than the wolf, yet the writer, 

 though recognizing its bad points, would dislike 

 to have it become extinct. Its howl is insep- 

 arably associated with many of my pleasantest 

 recollections, and the butte-fringed prairies and 

 rugged Bad Lands would have decidedly less 

 charm without it for one who has learned to 

 love that so-called " God- forsaken country." 



Except under unusually severe weather con- 

 ditions, wolves generally kill only the weakest of 

 range stock and big game animals, and I doubt 

 if their so-called depredations in this respect are 

 anything but a benefit to the survivors, as weak- 

 lings among any species of animals are always 

 inimical to the general health and condition of 

 the respective variety. The wolf in this regard 

 does only what the sensible warden of a well- 

 conducted game preserve does; i.e., weeds out 



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