126 EXTINCT BRITISH ANIMALS. 



We do not find, indeed, that the hawks and hounds 

 were included in this new stipulation, but it does 

 not seem reasonable that Edgar, who, like his pre- 

 decessor, was extremely fond of field sports, should 

 have remitted that part of the tribute.* 



It is generally admitted that Edgar relinquished 

 the fine of gold and silver imposed by his uncle 

 Athelstan upon Constantino, and claimed in its 

 stead the annual production of 300 wolf-skins, be- 

 cause, say the historians, the extensive woodlands 

 and coverts, abounding at that time in Britain, 

 afforded shelter for the Wolves, which were ex- 

 ceedingly numerous, especially in the districts 

 bordering upon Wales. By this prudent expedient, 

 in less than four years, it is said, the whole island 

 was cleared of these ferocious animals, without 

 putting his subjects to the least expense.t But, as 

 Strutt has observed,| "if this record be taken in 

 its full latitude, and the supposition estabhshed, 

 that the Wolves were totally exterminated in Britain 

 during the reign of Edgar, more will certainly be 

 admitted than is consistent with the truth, as certain 

 documents clearly prove." The words of William of 

 Malmesbury on the subject are to this effect, that 

 "he, Edgar, imposed a tribute upon the King of 

 Wales, exacting yearly 300 Wolves. This tribute 



* Strutt, " Sports and Pastimes." 



+ It is singular that the same expedient has been resorted to in 

 modern times, and with considerable success. In the accounts of 

 Assinniboia, Red River Territory, there is an entry of payment for 

 "Wolves' heads; and in 1868 the State of Minnesota paid for Wolves' 

 scalps 1 1,300 dollars, at the rate of 10 dollars apiece. 



X " Sports and Pastimes." 



