The Dog Family 



increased under State protection, the wolves and coyotes drew towards a quarter where there 

 were no hunters and a good supply of food. It was soon found that the increase of the 

 game was checked. The coyotes used to watch the hinds when about to drop their calves, 

 and usually succeeded in killing them. The large grey wolves killed the hinds themselves, 

 and generally made life most unpleasant for the dwellers in this paradise. Orders were issued 

 to kill off all the w r olves by any means. Poison was found to be the best remedy ; but in 

 the winter, when all the game descended into the valleys, the wolves found so much fresh 

 food in the carcases of the animals they killed for themselves that they would not eat very 

 eagerly of the poisoned baits. The coyotes were killed off fairly closely, as they are less able 

 to obtain living prey ; but the grey wolves are constantly reinforced from the mountains, and 

 are a permanent enemy to be coped with. 



A curious instance of change of habit in wolves on the American prairies was recently 

 noted in the Spectator. Formerly they followed the caravans ; now they come down to the 

 great transcontinental railways, and haunt the line to obtain food. Each train which crosses 

 the prairie is, like a ship, full of provisions. Three meals a day take place regularly, and 

 these are not stinted. The black cooks throw all the waste portions beef-bones, other bones, 

 stale bread, and trimmings overboard. The wolves have learnt that the passing of a train 

 means food, and when they hear one they gallop down to the line, and wait like expectant dogs 

 in the hope of picking up a trifle. The coyotes come close to the metals, and sit like terriers, 

 with their sharp noses pricked up. The big grey wolves also appear in the early morning, 

 standing on the snow, over which the chill wind of winter blows, gaunt and hungry images 

 of winter and famine. 



Fhoto by Ottomar Anscltiitz] 



[Berlin* 



A WOLF OF THE CARPATHIANS. 

 This wolf Is a shorter and more heavily built specimen than the Russian wolf on the previous page. 



