152 
PRAIRIE WOLF. 
tints, being nearly grey, while many had black markings on the shin 
and forelegs which were absent in others. In all descriptions of 
wolves, colour is a very uncertain guide in the designation of species. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Ft. Inches. 
From point of nose to root of tail .... 2 
Tail vertebrae, 
Do. to end of hair, ....... 1 
Height of ear, ........ 
Breadth of do. at the base, ...... 
From heel to end of longest nail 
Point of nose to corner of eye, ..... 
Breadth of skull, 
Fore shoulder to end of longest nail, , . . 1 
Breadth across the forehead, 
10 
11 
3 
3 
3 
6 
Si 
4 
1 
HABITS. 
We saw a good number of these small wolves on our trip up the 
Missouri river, as well as during our excursions through those portions 
of the country which we visited bordering on the Yellow Stone. 
This species is well known throughout the western parts of the 
States of Arkansas and Missouri, and is a familiar acquaintance of the 
“ voyageurs” on the upper Missouri and Mississippi rivers. It is also found 
on the Saskatchewan. It has much the appearance of the common 
grey Wolf in colour, but differs from it in size and manners. 
The Prairie Wolf hunts in packs, but is also often seen prowling 
singly over the plains in search of food. During one of our morning 
rambles near Fort Union, we happened to start one of these wolves 
suddenly. It made off at a very swift pace and we fired at it with- 
out any effect, our guns being loaded with small shot at the time ; after 
running about one hundred yards it suddenly stopped and shook itself 
violently, by which we perceived that it had been touched ; in a few 
moments it again started and soon disappeared beyond, a high range 
of hills, galloping along like a hare or an antelope. 
The bark or howl of this wolf greatly resembles that of the dog, 
and on one occasion the party travelling with us were impressed by 
the idea that Indians were in our vicinity, as a great many of these 
wolves were about us and barked during the night like Indian dogs. 
We were all on the alert, and our guns were loaded with ball in 
readiness for an attack. 
