NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL PARK. 



99 



TIMBER WOLF. 



has been in force for several years, but with no sensible 

 diminution in the number of wolves. 



The Gray Wolves which live in touch with civilization 

 are by no means such bold and dangerous animals as they 

 formerly were. In the early days, when wolves were 

 numerous and fire-arms few and primitive, the Gray Wolf 

 undoubtedly was a dangerous animal. But the breech- 

 loading rifle has changed all this. Excepting for his stock- 

 killing propensities, the Gray Wolf is now a skulking crea- 

 ture. In the United States this animal possesses the cour- 

 age of a coyote, but in the Barren Grounds it is still fierce 

 and dangerous. However much the wolf may skulk and 

 flee when the way is open, when brought to bay he knows 

 how to fight. One snap of his powerful jaws and shear-like 

 teeth is enough to disable almost any dog, and send it 

 howling to the rear. It is no wonder that western dogs 

 of experience are shy of approaching a Gray Wolf within 

 snapping distance. 



Excepting the localities from which it has been driven 

 out by civilization, the Gray Wolf ranges over the whole 

 North American continent from central Mexico to 83° 24' N. 



The Coyote, or Prairie Wolf, (Canis latrans), is a personal 

 acquaintance of nearly every trans-continental traveler. 

 To those who have camped on the "plains," he is quite like 



