64 RECONNAISSANCE FROM CARROLL, MONTANA, 
the Judith Gap, I saw one pack of twelve, another of nine, and, besides these, many individuals 
singly or by twos and threes. Buffalo were very numerous here, and, although not much hunted, 
enough were killed to furnish abundant food for the wolves. This species was also abundant near 
the Judith River, and during the hours of darkness their howlings were heard almost constantly. 
Wolfing, as it is called, is an established industry in Montana; and, being pursued only in 
winter, it gives employment and support to a large number of teamsters, steamboat-hands, and 
others who are necessarily idle at this season. The method is sufficiently simple. The wolfer, 
starting out, kills a deer, a buffalo, or some other large animal, and, thoroughly poisoning it with 
strychnine, leaves it for a day or two. When he returns to it, he finds from one to a dozen wolves 
coyotes, and foxes lying dead about the carcass. As wolf-skins, large and small, 4. e., gray wolves 
and coyotes, bring $2.50 apiece at the trader’s store, it is not unusual for two men to make $1,000 
or $1,500 at this work in a winter. 
Almost all the dogs seen among the Assinaboines, Crows, and Gros Ventres of the Prairie, . 
appeared to have more or less wolf-blood in their veins, and many of them would have been taken 
for true wolves had they been seen away from the Indian camps. 
5. CANIS LATRANS, Say. 
PRAIRIE WOLF; COYOTE. 
This species is abundant between Carroll and Fort Ellis; being, I think, much more common 
on the prairie than in the mountains. 1 have always found it most numerous in a plain country, 
where there are deep washed ravines, to which the animals may retire during the day, and in holes 
in the sides of which the young are brought forth. When searching for fossils in such places dur- 
ing the past summer, I have often come upon an old female lying at the mouth of a hole in the 
bank, and surrounded by her litter, of from four to eight half-grown pups. At my appearance, the 
family would spring to their feet, stare at me for a few seconds, and then two or three would dart 
into the hole, as many wildly scramble up the bank, and the rest would start off up the ravine at 
a good round pace, looking back over their shoulders every few steps, as if there were a constant 
struggle between their fears and their curiosity. 
A puppy, perhaps three months old, was captured while we were in camp on Crooked Creek 
He had taken refuge in a hole in the bluffs, and was dug out and brought to camp. Although so 
young, he was utterly wild and vicious; suapping atany one that ventured to touch him, and refus- 
ing to eat. His unceasing efforts to escape were at length successful, and one morning we found 
that during the night he had gnawed off his fastenings and departed. 
6. VULPES ALOPEX MACRURUS, Baird. 
PRAIRIE Fox. 
This is an abundant species throughout the country traversed by our party. It is often found 
dead near the carcasses poisoned for wolves. 
7. VULPES VELOX, Aud & Bach. 
Swirt; Kit Fox. 
This pretty little fox is common on the prairies of Dakota and Montana, and, as it is a species 
that has but few enemies, it is often quitetame. I have sometimes come upon one of these animals 
as it lay sleeping in the sun at the mouth of its burrow, and have been amused to see it, after a 
brief examination of me, stretch, yawn, and then with its tail held straight up in the air, and an 
appearance of the utmost usconcern, trot slowly into the hole. This has generally two openings ; 
and sometimes, while you are examining one entrance, the Swift may be seen inspecting you from 
the other. 
