CHAPTER XL 



WOLVES. 



THERE are certainly three distinct species of wolves 

 on the American continent, many persons say more, but 

 . I am inclined to believe that from a desire to increase 

 the fauna of a country, varieties are frequently trans- 

 ferred to the responsible places of species. My op- 

 portunities of studying the habits and appearance of 

 the wolf have been very great ; still, although my ideas 

 are not in accordance with Audubon and* Bacheman 

 and other accepted naturalists, I have no hesitation in 

 stating them. 



First, on account of the greater size and nearer re- 

 semblance of the animal to the European race, we will 

 take the common familiarly called grey wolf. At one 

 time it was scattered all over the North American 

 continent to the Gulf of Mexico ; but now, with few 

 exceptions, is not to be found until the great prairies 

 of the West or the slopes of the Rocky Mountains 

 are reached, or the immense timber lands to the north 

 of Canada entered. But still, although their habitat 

 has become restricted, owing doubtless to difference of 

 latitude great varieties of colour are to be found 

 among this species but neither in habits, voice, nor 

 shape are they in the least dissimilar; I am aware 

 that at one time I possessed a different idea, 

 but further experience and study of the subject 



