140 CANIl)^. 



The Indian Wolf. 



Deacr. — Hoary fulvous or dirty reddish-white, some of the hairs tipped 

 black, which gives it a grizzled appearance ; somewhat reddish on the face 

 and limbs, the latter paler than the body ; lower parts dingy white ; tail 

 thinly bushy, slightly black tipped. Ears rather small. 



Length of one, head and body, 37 inches ; tail 17 ; height at the should- 

 er 26 inches. 



Elliot and Horsfield have stated that they did not consider the Indian 

 wolf specifically distract from the European wolf, but Blyth gives it as 

 his opinion that it is so. "The Society's Museum now contains good 

 and characteristic examples of the skuUs of the European, Indian and 

 Tibetan wolves, C. lupus, pallipes and laniger, and the specific distinct- 

 ness appears to be well marked. The European is the largest of the three, 

 with proportionally much larger and more powerful teeth, and the orbital 

 process of the frontal bone is much less developed than in the others. The 

 Indian and Tibetan wolves are more affined to each other than either is 

 to the European one." 



This wolf is found throughout the whole of India, rare in wooded 

 districts, and most abundant in open country. " The wolves of the 

 Southern Mahratta country," says Mr. ElUot, " generally himt in packs, 

 and I have seen them in fall chase after the goat antelope {Gazella 

 bennettii). They likewise steal round a herd of antelope, and conceal 

 themselves on different sides till an opportunity offers of seizing one of 

 them unawares, as they approach, whilst grazing, to one or other of their 

 hidden assailants. On one occasion three wolves were seen to chase a herd 

 of gazelles across a ravine in which two others were lying in wait. 

 They succeeded in seizing a female gazelle which was taken from 

 them. They have frequently been seen to course and run down hares 

 and foxes, and it is a common belief of the Eyots that in the open plains 

 where there is no cover or concealment, they scrape a hole in the earth 

 in which one of the pack hes down, and remains hid, while the others 

 drive the herd of antelope over him. Their chief prey, however, is 

 sheep, and the shepherds say that part of the pack attack and keep the 

 dogs in play, while others carry off their prey, and that if pursued they 

 follow the same plan, part turning and cheeking the dogs, whilst the rest 

 drag away the carcase till they evade pursuit. Instances are not uncom- 

 mon of their attacking man. In 1824, upwards of 30 children were 



