THE WARY WOLF 153 
the average collie. For the most part, those near 
the Arctic regions are larger than those in the 
southern United States. 
Seen in profile at a distance, the back line 
is comparatively straight. The ears rise just a 
trifle above this line; in front of the hips the 
back sags a trifle, while the tail is extended 
almost straight, with the point held slightly 
above the level of the back. With the coyote 
the ears are more prominent, the back more 
swayed, and the tail droops at a very sharp 
angle, with the point turned a little upward. 
Among Indians wolf pets are common. At 
an Alaskan Indian encampment I was once 
greeted by a number of romping Indian children 
who had several black-faced .wolf puppies with 
faces painted vermilion and yellow. 
The puppies are born early in March. The 
number varies from six to twelve. For the 
first few weeks they are almost black, espe- 
cially about the head. For a period after the 
young cease nursing the mother stays with 
them much of the time, while the father hunts 
and brings food to the entrance of the den or 
into it. At the age of a year the young wolf is 
still puppylike, and apparently he does not 
reach maturity until more than two years of 
age. 
Young wolves are sometimes seized by eagles 
