THE DOG FAMILY 



89 



animals which it is absolutely necessary to destroy. As the deer and antelope and other game 

 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 gray wolves killed the hinds themselves, and gener- 

 ally made life most unpleasant for the dwellers in this paradise. Orders were issued to kill off all 

 the wolves 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 

 gray 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 gray 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. 



Photo by Otto 



Anichutx.] 



WOLF OF THE CARPATHIANS 



This -wolf is a ihorter and more heavily built specimen than the Russian -wolf on the previous page 



\Berlin 



