Although the most typical American representative of the fam- 

 ily in both general appearance and habits, there are, nevertheless, 

 many differences in coloring and local range. In general, how- 

 ever, all varieties are a dark gray with more or less of a yellowish 

 or rufous tinge. 



In size they usually measure about four feet, with the addi- 

 tion of a tail about one quarter the length of the body and stand 

 some two feet from the ground. The home may be a den among the 

 rocks, the hollow of a fallen tree-trunk, or an underground bur- 

 row, where the young, from six to ten in number, are born each 

 spring. These remain with the mother during the summer, being 

 trained in the art of getting a living for themselves, while the 

 father-wolf brings them such supplies as are necessary to assist in 

 their efforts. By fall they are ready to take their place in the pack, 

 after which the lair is used as a good retreat in which to rest after 

 battle or to hide by day, as they are creatures of the night, but little 

 in evidence except under cover of darkness. 



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