

THE BLACK WOLF. 



329 



When the Wolf is once within a trap it becomes the most cowardly of animals, and 

 will permit itself to be handled or wounded without displaying the least sign of ani- 

 mation, or attempting to resist the hand of its destroyer. The sensation of imprison- 

 ment appears to deprive it of all energy, and it sometimes happens that a trapped Wolf 

 is so entirely destitute of self-control, that it has permitted the hunter to drag it from 

 the trap, and to make it lie passively by his side while he reset the trap for the oc- 

 cupancy of another victim. On one occasion, a pitfall-trap contained two occupants, 

 one a Wolf, and the other a poor old woman, who had unfortunately fallen into the 

 pit when returning from her work. The Wolf was so cowed by rinding itself en- 

 trapped, that it made no attempt to injure its fellow-prisoner, but lay quietly at the 

 bottom of the pit, and was shot in the morning by a peasant. 



^>% 



BLACK WOLF.-Can/s occidentals. 



The BLACK WOLF of America was thought by some naturalists to be only a variety 

 of the common Wolf, but it is now considered to be a distinct species. Not only does 

 the color of its fur vary from that of the common Wolf, but there are various differences 

 of structure, in the position of the eye, the peculiar bushiness of the hair, and other 

 peculiarities, which have entitled it to rank as a separate species. 



The American Wolves partake of the general lupine character, being fierce, danger- 

 ous, and cowardly, like their European brethren. They are marvellously pusillani- 

 mous when they find themselves fairly inclosed ; and even if their prison-house be a 

 large yard they crouch timidly in the corners, and do not venture to attack a human 

 being if he enters the same inclosure. Audubon mentions a curious instance of this 

 strange timidity in so fierce an animal and of which he was an eye-witness. 



