CHAPTER XI. 
WOLVES. 
THERE are certainly three distinct species of wolves on 
the American continent, many persons say more, but I am 
inclined to believe that from a desire to increase the fauna 
of a country, varieties are frequently transferred to the re- 
sponsible places of species. My opportunities of studying 
the habits and appearance of the wolf have been very great; 
still, although my ideas are not in accordance with Audu- 
bon and Bacheman, and other accepted naturalists, I have 
no hesitation in stating them. 
First, on account of the greater size and nearer resem- 
blance of the animal to the European race, we will take the 
common, familiarly-called gray wolf. At one time it was 
scattered all over the North American continent to the Gulf 
of Mexico; but now, with few exceptions, is not to be found 
until the great prairies of the West or the slopes of the 
Rocky Mountains are reached, or the immense timber lands 
to the north of Canada entered. But still, although their 
habitat has become restricted, owing doubtless to differ- 
ence of latitude, great varieties of color are to be found 
among this species, but neither in habits, voice, nor shape 
are they in the least dissimilar. I am aware that at one 
time I possessed a different idea, but farther experience 
and study of the subject caused me to change. Thus on 
the Rio Grande and in Southern New Mexico and Sonora, 
the wolf is most frequently black; as you advance north- 
ward red is the preponderating color, gradually changing 
into gray as you get into higher latitudes, that changing to 
