4S THE AMERICAN WOLF. 



found applicable. Mr. Say, (by whom they are given,) 

 himself says, that other specimens which he saw, differed 

 much from his first description : one " was destitute of the 

 cinnamon color, except on the snout where it was but 

 slightly apparent ; the general color was therefore gray, 

 with an intermixture of black, in remote spots and lines, 

 varying in position and figure with the direction of the 

 hair. Perhaps no two individuals could be found exhibit- 

 ing throughout precisely the same arrangement of colored 

 markings. 



In general appearance, the barking Wolf closely re- 

 sembles the domestic dog of the Indians. Like the com- 

 mon Wolf, the individuals of this species frequently unite 

 to run down deer, or a buffalo calf which has been sepa- 

 rated from the herd, though it requires the fullest exercise 

 of ail their speed, sagacity and strength, to s ucceed in this 

 chase. They are very often exposed to great distress from 

 want of food, and in this state of famine are under the 

 necessity of filling their stomachs with wild plums or other 

 fruits no less indigestible, in order to allay in some degree 

 the inordinate sensations of hunger. 



The peculiarity of this Wolf, is the resemblance of its 

 bark to that of the dog. The first two or three notes are 

 not to be distinguished from those produced by a small ter- 

 rier, but differs from that dog by adding to these sounds a 

 lengthened scream. On account of this habit of barking, 

 Say has given the specific name of " Latrans" to this Wolf, 

 which is used in preference to the name of " prairie," a 

 term equally applicable to other species. 



The Dusky Wolf differs but little from the foregoing, 

 except in its color, as indicated by its name, and in being 

 more robust in form, and fiercer and more formidable in 

 appearance. It is found in the Missouri country. Its 

 length from nose to tail is four feet three and a half inches. 



It is distinguished from the common wolf by the length 

 of its ears and tail, while it is separated from the barking 



