WOLVES. 499 
bark. They will breed freely with the larger kinds of domesticated dogs; and it is 
stated that some of the Indians in the north of America improve the breed of the 
sleighing dogs by crossing with the wolf. 
The endurance of the wolf's gallop has become proverbial. “ When pursued 
by wolves,’ writes Mr. Lett, “deer make for the nearest water, in which they 
have a chance to escape, being able to swim much faster than their enemies. Should 
the river or lake be narrow, the deer generally swim either up or down, seldom 
straight across; frequently landing, after a detour, on the same side in which they 
entered the water. By this means the wolves are puzzled and put off the scent. 
If there are thick weeds or bush along the shore, the deer frequently sinks his body 
under water, so that no part will appear above the surface but his head, and by 
this means is enabled to evade the cunning of his pursuers.” The wolf displays 
remarkable caution in avoiding all kinds of traps set for his destruction; and 
when he is caught will frequently feign death in the hope of being able to 
escape. 
Fossil remains of the wolf occur in the caverns and superficial deposits of 
England and the Continent; the earliest horizon from which they have been 
obtained in this country being the so-called forest-bed of the Eastern Coast, which 
antedates the glacial period. 
THe INDIAN WOLF (Canis pallipes). 
As already mentioned, there has been much discussion as to whether the 
Indian wolf is distinct from the common species. According to Mr. Blanford, it 
is distinguished from the common wolf by its smaller size and slighter build, as 
well as by its shorter fur, which has little or no woolly under-fur. The length is 
about 3 feet, exclusive of the tail; and the general colour of the fur is a greyish 
fulvous, usually with a brownish tinge, and sometimes with more or less black on 
the back. Occasionally, however, a more or less strongly marked rufous tint may 
be observed. Mr. Blanford states that all the skins that have come under his notice 
are browner than is usually the case with the common wolf, and are of an earthy- 
grey colour. 
The Indian wolf is confined to India south of the Himalaya. It is rare in 
Lower Bengal, and unknown on the Malabar coast; and it appears to be replaced 
by the common species to the west of the Indus, although a few examples are 
occasionally seen in the Trans-Indus districts. The young are born in holes or 
eaves among rocks during the months of October, November, and December, the 
number in a litter varying from three to eight. 
Its habits are very similar to those of the common species; but, although 
somewhat gregarious, these wolves do not associate in large packs, six or eight 
being the largest number that have been seen together. Moreover, it appears to 
be a rather silent animal, rarely, if ever, howling like the common wolf, but, 
according to Jerdon, sometimes barking like a pariah dog. Its food includes 
such mammals and birds as it can kill, but sheep, goats, and antelopes appear 
to be the chief favourites. On occasion these wolves will attack adult human 
beings, for which purpose two or more will combine together; and in certain 
