THE WOLF 



eastern Europe, while they are abundant throughout central and northern Asia. 

 In the colder parts of their habitat, as in Tibet, where a black phase is common, 

 these fierce Carnivora develop a thick under-coat of fur. With such an extensive 

 range in the Old World, it would be only natural to expect that wolves should 

 present considerable local variation in colour and size ; and as a matter of fact this 

 is actually the case, although the various local races are still imperfectly known. 



In North America the species is represented by the grey, or timber, wolf 

 (C. lupus Occident alis), as well as by the aforesaid black Alaskan race. As regards 

 colour, the ordinary American wolf is dark grey, becoming almost black on the 

 back, with dusky patches on the shoulders and hips ; but there is also a more 

 rufous phase. The coyote, or prairie-wolf, is a distinct species, C. latrans. 



In Europe the favourite haunts of the wolf are wild and retired situations 

 both in the plains and mountains ; during spring and summer wolves go about for 

 the most part singly or in pairs, but in winter they collect in parties or large packs, 

 and when driven to desperation by hunger are the terror of the peasantry or 

 the traveller, not only in Russia but even in some districts of France and Germany. 



The food of the wolf includes all animals that it can capture and overpower, 

 as well as carrion, and even vegetable substances. Large game and domesticated 

 animals form its chief victims, but in cases of necessity, rats, mice, frogs, and even 

 cockchafers are not disdained. In pursuit of their prey wolves are practically 

 untiring. The female gives birth during the spring, in some sequestered situation in 

 the forest, to from three to nine cubs, which she nurses and tends with wonderful 

 affection and care. 



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