ANIMALS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
43 
color of the common wolf is various ; mostly pale red, some- 
times black or gray. The wolf of Pennsylvania — scarcely 
now to be met with — is redder than that of Florida, blacker 
and larger than those found elsewhere ; but they are only 
varieties and not a distinct species. 
The following remarkable incident took place near Bidde- 
ford, Maine, a few years ago, and is so well vouched for as to 
give no doubts as to its authenticity. A resident in that 
place, a Mr. Adams, was that autumn engaged in felling trees 
at some distance from his house. His little son eight years 
old, was in the habit of running out into the fields and woods, 
and often going where his father was at work. One day after 
the frost had robbed the trees of their foliage, he left his work 
sooner than usual and started home. On the edge of the 
forest he saw a curious pile of leaves, and without stopping 
to think what had made it, moved the heap, when to his 
astonishment he found his boy asleep there. Taking him up 
in his arms, he had scarcely moved many paces before he 
heard a wolf’s distant howl, quickly followed by others, till 
the woods seemed alive with the dreadful sound. The howl 
came nearer, and in a few minutes a large gaunt, savage 
looking wolf leaped into the opening, closely followed by the 
whole pack. Springing on the pile of leaves, it quickly scat- 
tered them in all directions, but finding the bed empty his 
look of fierceness changed into that of the most abject fear ; 
for the rest, apparently enraged at being thus baulked of 
their prey, -fell on him, tore him to pieces, and devoured him 
on the spot. The victim had probably found the child sleep- 
ing, covered him with leaves until he could bring his com- 
rades to the feast ; and unwillingly himself furnished the 
repast. 
The Prairie Wolf or Cayota QCanis latrans) is said by 
Say to be more numerous than any other on this continent ; 
its cry very closely resembles the barking of the domestic 
dog ; and in appearance it so much resembles the Indian dog, 
