154 Unexplored Spain 
Wotves 
These animals, which perpetrate incredible destruction to 
game, are very abundant in Moréna, yet rarely shot in the 
monterias (mountain-drives). This is not due to any special 
astuteness of the wolf, but simply because, while waiting for deer, 
sportsmen naturally lie very low, thus giving opportunity to 
wolves to pass unseen; while, on the other hand, when boars 
only are expected, and sportsmen therefore remain less concealed, 
the wolf is apt to detect the danger before arriving within shot. 
In May and June the she-wolves produce their young ; but it 
is difficult to discover these broods, since at that period they 
betake themselves to remote regions far away from the haunts 
frequented in normal times. 
There is, however, one method of discovering them which is 
known to the mountaineers as the otéo, or watching for them 
over-night, thus noting precisely where each she-wolf gives tongue. 
If on the following morning the howl is repeated at the same 
spot, it is a practical certainty that that wolf will have her brood 
in that immediate neighbourhood. 
Thereupon at daybreak the hunters proceed to examine every 
bush and brake in the marked spot, which invariably consists 
either of strong brushwood or broken rocks. All around the 
actual lair for a hundred yards the ground is traced with foot- 
prints and scratchings, which usually lead to its discovery ; but 
should it not be found that day, it is completely useless to seek 
for it on the following, since the moment that a she-wolf per- 
ceives that her whelps are being sought, she at once removes 
them far away. To exterminate wolves, strychnine is extensively 
used, giving positive results: At the same time it is always 
better to supplement its use by searching out with practical men 
the broods of wolf-cubs at their proper season. 
The photo facing p. 158 shows a magnificent old dog-wolf, 
scaling 93 lbs. dead-weight, which we obtained in the Sierra 
Moréna, near Cérdoba, in March 1909. 
1 Thirteen wolves were killed thus (and recovered) on the property of the Marquis del 
Mérito in the winter of 1906-7. 
