fewer young at a birth。 Throughout the East the black bear is common
in many localities from which the wolf has vanished completely。 It at
present exists in very scanty numbers in northern Maine and the
Adirondacks； is almost or quite extinct in Pennsylvania； lingers here
and there in the mountains from West Virginia to east Tennessee； and
is found in Florida； but is everywhere less abundant than the bear。 It
is possible that this destruction of the wolves is due to some disease
among them； perhaps to hydrophobia； a terrible malady from which it is
known that they suffer greatly at times。 Perhaps the bear is helped by
its habit of hibernating； which frees it from most dangers during
winter； but this cannot be the complete explanation； for in the South
it does not hibernate； and yet holds its own as well as in the North。
What makes it all the more curious that the American wolf should
disappear sooner than the bear is that the reverse is the case with
the allied species of Europe； where the bear is much sooner killed out
of the land。
Indeed the differences of this sort between nearly related animals are
literally inexplicable。 Much of the difference in temperament between
such closely allied species as the American and European bears and
wolves is doubtless due to their surroundings and to the instincts
they have inherited through many generations； but for much of the
variation it is not possible to offer any explanation。 In the same way
there are certain physical differences for which it is very hard to
account； as the same conditions seem to operate in directly reverse
ways with different animals。 No one can explain the process of natural
selection which has resulted in the otter of America being larger than
the otter of Europe； while the badger is smaller； in the mink being
with us a much stouter animal than its Scandinavian and Russian
kinsman； while the reverse is true of our sable or pine marten。 No one
can say why the European red deer should be a pigmy compared to its
giant brother； the American wapiti； why the Old World elk should
average smaller in size than the almost indistinguishable New World
moose； and yet the bison of Lithuania and the Caucasus be on the whole
larger and more formidable than its American cousin。 In the same way
no one can tell why under like conditions some game； such as the white
goat and the spruce grouse； should be tamer than other closely allied
species； like the mountain sheep and ruffled grouse。 No one can say
why on the whole the wolf of Scandinavia and northern Russia should be
larger and more dangerous than the average wolf of the Rocky
Mountains； while between the bears of the same regions the comparison
must be exactly reversed。
The difference even among the wolves of different sections of our own
country is very notable。 It may be true that the species as a whole is
rather weaker and less ferocious than the European wolf； but it is
certainly not true of the wolves of certain localities。 The great
timber wolf of the central and northern chains of the Rockies and
coast ranges is in every way a more formidable creature than the
buffalo wolf of the plains； although they intergrade。 The skins and
skulls of the wolves of north…western Montana and Washington which I
have seen were quite as large and showed quite as stout claws and
teeth as the skins and skulls of Russian and Scandinavian wolves； and
I believe that these great timber wolves are in every way as
formidable as their Old World kinsfolk。 However； they live where they
come in contact with a population of rifle…bearing frontier hunters；
who are very different from European peasants or Asiatic tribesmen；
and they have； even when most hungry； a wholesome dread of human
beings。 Yet I doubt if an unarmed man would be entirely safe should
he； while alone in the forest in mid…winter encounter a fair…sized
pack of ravenously hungry timber wolves。
A full…grown dog…wolf of the northern Rockies； in exceptional
instances； reaches a height of thirty…two inches and a weight of 130
pounds； a big buffalo wolf of the upper Missouri stands thirty or
thirty…one inches at the shoulder and weighs about 110 pounds。 A Texas
wolf may not reach over eighty pounds。 The bitch…wolves are smaller；
and moreover there is often great variation even in the wolves of
closely neighboring localities。
The wolves of the southern plains were not often formidable to large
animals； even in the days when they most abounded。 They rarely
attacked the horses of the hunter； and indeed were but little regarded
by these experienced animals。 They were much more likely to gnaw off
the lariat with which the horse was tied； than to try to molest the
steed himself。 They preferred to prey on young animals； or on the weak
and disabled。 They rarely molested a full…grown cow or steer； still
less a full…grown buffalo； and； if they did attack such an animal； it
was only when emboldened by numbers。 In the plains of the upper
Missouri and Saskatchewan the wolf was； and is； more dangerous； while
in the northern Rockies his courage and ferocity attain their highest
pitch。 Near my own ranch the wolves have sometimes committed great
depredations on cattle； but they seem to have queer freaks of
slaughter。 Usually they prey only upon calves and sickly animals； but
in midwinter I have known one single…handed to attack and kill a well…
grown steer or cow disabling its quarry by rapid snaps at the hams or
flanks。 Only rarely have I known it to seize by the throat。 Colts are
likewise a favorite prey； but with us wolves rarely attack full…grown
horses。 They are sometimes very bold in their assaults； falling on the
stock while immediately around the ranch houses。 They even venture
into the hamlet of Medora itself at nightas the coyotes sometimes do
by day。 In the spring of '92 we put on some eastern two…year…old
steers； they arrived； and were turned loose from the stock…yards； in a
snowstorm； though it was in early May。 Next morning we found that one
had been seized； slain； and partially devoured by a big wolf at the
very gate of the stockyard； probably the beast had seen it standing
near the yard after nightfall feeling miserable after its journey； in
the storm and its unaccustomed surroundings； and had been emboldened
to make the assault so near town by the evident helplessness of the
prey。
The big timber wolves of the northern Rocky Mountains attack every
four…footed beast to be found where they live。 They are far from
contenting themselves with hunting deer and snapping up the pigs and
sheep of the farm。 When the weather gets cold and food scarce they
band together in small parties； perhaps of four or five individuals；
and then assail anything； even a bear or a panther。 A bull elk or bull
moose； when on its guard； makes a most dangerous fight； but a single
wolf will frequently master the cow of either animal； as well as
domestic cattle and horses。 In attacking such large game； however； the
wolves like to act in concert； one springing at the animal's head； and
attracting its attention； while the other hamstrings it。 Nevertheless；
one such big wolf will kill an ordinary horse。 A man I knew； who was
engaged in packing into the Coeur d'Alenes； once witnessed such a feat
on the part of a wolf。 He was taking his pack train down into a valley
when he saw a horse grazing therein； it had been turned loose by
another packing outfit； because it became exhausted。 He lost sight of
it as the trail went down a zigzag； and while it was thus out of sight
he suddenly heard it utter the appalling scream； unlike and more
dreadful than any other sound； which a horse only utters in extreme
fright or agony。 The scream was repeated； and as he came in sight
again he saw that a great wolf had attacked the horse。 The poor animal
had been bitten terribly in its haunches and was cowering upon them；
while the wolf stood and looked at it a few paces off。 In a moment or
two the horse partially recovered and made a desperate bound forward；
starting at full gallop。 Immediately the wolf was after it； overhauled
it in three or four jumps； and then seized it by the hock； while its
legs were extended； with such violence as to bring it completely back
on its haunches。 It again screamed piteously； and this time with a few
savage snaps the wolf hamstrung and partially disembowelled it； and it
fell over； having made no attempt to defend itself。 I have heard of
more than once incident of this kind。 If a horse is a good fighter；
however； as occasionally； though not often； happens； it is a more
difficult prey for any wild beast； and some veteran horses have no
fear of wolves whatsoever； well knowing that they can either strike
them down with their forefeet or repulse them by lashing out behind。
Wolves are cunning beasts and will often try to lull their prey into
unsuspicion by playing round and cutting capers。 I once saw a young
deer and a wolf…cub together near the hut of the settler who had
captured both。 The wolf was just old enough to begin to feel vicious
and bloodthirsty； and to show symptoms of attacking the deer。 On the
occasion in question he got loose and ran towards it； but it turned；
and began to