THE WARY WOLF 153 



the average collie. For the most part, those near 

 the Arctic regions are larger than those in the 

 southern United States. 



Seen in profile at a distance, the back line 

 is comparatively straight. The ears rise just a 

 trifle above this line; in front of the hips the 

 back sags a trifle, while the tail is extended 

 almost straight, with the point held slightly 

 above the level of the back. With the coyote 

 the ears are more prominent, the back more 

 swayed, and the tail droops at a very sharp 

 angle, with the point turned a little upward. 



Among Indians wolf pets are common. At 

 an Alaskan Indian encampment I was once 

 greeted by a number of romping Indian children 

 who had several black-faced wolf puppies with 

 faces painted vermilion and yellow. 



The puppies are born early in March. The 

 number varies from six to twelve. For the 

 first few weeks they are almost black, espe- 

 cially about the head. For a period after the 

 young cease nursing the mother stays with 

 them much of the time, while the father hunts 

 and brings food to the entrance of the den or 

 into it. At the age of a year the young wolf is 

 still puppylike, and apparently he does not 

 reach maturity until more than two years of 

 age. 



Young wolves are sometimes seized by eagles 



