IO4 Anecdotal Natural History. 



The Black Wolf (Cants occidentalis) of America 

 greatly resembles the last-mentioned animal, both in 

 character and habits. In appearance also it differs 

 only in a slight degree, and for a long time was con- 

 sidered to be nothing more than a permanent variety 

 of the common species. 



A smaller and more abundant animal, found in 

 great numbers upon the vast American plains, is the 

 Prairie Wolf (Cam's latrans). These animals are 

 always to be seen in great profusion upon the outskirt 

 of the herds of bisons which populate the plains, 

 hovering in the neighbourhood in the hopes of over- 

 coming any injured or weakly member of the herd. 

 A considerable number also usually follow the hunter, 

 feeding upon the carcases of animals which he has 

 slain, and from which he has taken sufficient for his 

 own requirements. 



One of the best-known of the American wolves is 

 the Coyote, or Cajote (Cants ochropus), which is 

 equally hated and despised by the hunters on account 

 of its skulking and cowardly nature. This animal, 

 which is very abundant on the prairies, has more of a 

 fox-like aspect than the other wolves. In general 

 habits it presents no very great difference from the 

 previously-mentioned species. 



The young of the wolves vary from three to eight 

 or nine in number, and are brought up in a kind 

 of nest constructed by the mother, which is lined 

 with moss and fur pulled from her own body. When 

 they attain the age of six or seven months, the young 

 wolves are able to take care of themselves. 



In spite of their fierce and savage nature, wolves 

 have occasionally been tamed and brought into subjec- 

 tion such animals, of course, being captured when 

 quite young, before their character was fully developed. 

 A mixed breed has sometimes occurred, between the 



