AND AMERICAN RURAL SPORTS. 
fiict had destroyed several; his axe was his only weapon. 
The pratrie-wolf is a smaller species, which takes its 
name from its habits, or residing entirely upon the open 
plains. Even when hunted with dogs, it will make cir- 
cuit after circuit round the prairie, carefully avoiding the 
forest, or only dashing into it occasionally when hard 
pressed, and then returning to the plain. In size and ap- 
pearance this animal is midway between the wolf and the 
fox, and in colour it resembles the latter, being of a very 
light red. It preys upon poultry, rabbits, young pigs, 
calves, &e. The most friendly relations subsist between 
this animal and the common wolf, and they constantly hunt 
in packs together. Nothing is more common than to see 
a large black wolf in company with several prairie-wolves. 
I am well satisfied that the latter is the jackal of Asia. 
Several years ago, an agricultural society, which was 
established at the seat of government, offered a large pre- 
mium to the person who should kill the greatest number 
of wolves in one year. The legislature at the same time 
offered a bounty for each wolf-scalp that should be taken. 
The consequence was, that the expenditure for wolf-scalps 
became so great, as to render it necessary to repeal the 
law. These animals, although still numerous and trou- 
blesome to the farmer, are greatly decreased in number, 
and are no longer dangerous to man. We know of no 
instance in late years of a human being having been attack- 
ed by them.—Journal of Geology. 
THE WILD BOAR OF GERMANY. 
Tue Wild Boar of Germany, though pursued as an 
object of sport, is fierce and powerful, active, cunning, 
and courageous, and both tact and activity as well as the 
steed, the rifle, and the hound are necessary to secure the 
hunter’s safety and success in the chase. 
When the Boar is found, and the Germans have dogs 
regularly trained to that duty, ‘‘ugly useful animals, not 
unlike a shepherd’s dog, but rather smaller,’’ called, in 
the language of the country, ‘‘ sow finders,’’ and which 
are so well trained, that like a thorough-bred fox-hound 
with the fox, no other animal than the Boar will arrest 
their attention. Immediately as there isa find these give 
tongue, nor cease their ery during the chase. With ac- 
tive but cautious irritation they pursue the Boar, till he is 
at bay, when, with continual teasings, they artfully know 
how to turn him sideways to his master, being tutored so 
to do, as the shoulder affords the best aim for disabling 
him most readily; and in this position he endeavours to 
keep him till his master fires. If the Boar, after being 
ZA 
281 
brought to bay, be but ineffectually wounded, he becomes 
most furious and formidable, and his four large tusks are 
stops more dangerous than the ‘bristling spears of bat- 
tle.” Not only does he toss the heaviest hounds with 
them, but frequently mortally wounds the most athletic 
huntsman. Some huntsmen, when attacked, instead of 
trusting to their dogs, frequently rely upon their own 
courage and skill, preferring gallantly to receive him upon 
the point of a short sword or hanger, which, and our 
kind informant can speak from experience, however, re- 
quires all his strength and address: for, as the Boar 
rushes powerfully forward, he will immediately find him- 
self prostrated before him, should he miss his aim; he can 
then only save himself by laying close to the ground, and 
face downwards; for, as the Boar always strikes upwards, 
he, by hitting his nose against the ground, will greatly 
impede himself. From this awkward situation the sports- 
man is usually relieved by his companions, either shoot- 
ing at the Boar while so upon him, and their expertness 
makes this of little danger, or by their loosing large dogs, 
when, during a furious combat, the awkward sportsman 
recelves many a severe contusion, accompanied some- 
times by the derision of his companions. 
If it happen that the wounded Boar makes off, the Boar- 
hound, a species of blood-hound, says Colonel De Be- 
renger, ‘is let loose, which pursues him for miles, giv- 
ing tongue, nor will he leave him, even if other Boars 
come in his way. When this dog overtakes the Boar he 
furiously attacks him, and a fierce combat ensues, in which 
the hounds are often destroyed; the huntsman, who has 
actively followed the sound, in this case generally slays 
the Boar by thrusting his sword, or a small knife, into 
the spine of the neck, and this sagacious dog is taught to 
give great aid to this difficult task, by seizing one of the 
Boar’s ears, when, by jumping over his back, with it fast 
between his teeth, by the consequent confined attitude, 
he prevents the Boar from injuring his master.” 
[Annals of Sporting. 
EXTRACT FROM THE DIARY OF AN ORNI- 
THOLOGIST DURING A SOUTHERN TOUR. 
“ Crossrp the Potomac at Georgetown on the 20th of 
January; weather severely cold, and the river completely 
ice bound; reached Fredericksburgh the 22d. During 
my stay there, made a short excursion from town, but 
saw no object worthy of particular remark. 27th, arriy- 
ed at Richmond. February 9th, one mile north of Rich- 
