Journal of Proceedings.
ccvii
of the Zoological Gardens has pronounced it to be, without doubt, a
prairie wolf (Canis latrans). From the inquiries we made, we think
there is every probability that the prairie wolf has bred pretty freely in
the forest. The less-frequented parts of it are quite suited to the habits
of the animal. There he can find plenty of food, and is comparatively
free from molestation. Many old frequenters of the Epping woods told
us they had seen ' curiously coloured fox cubs ' which had been captured,
while more than one informant spoke of the ' large gray fox ' mentioned
by Mr. Bartlett. The hay carriers, who are constantly going to and fro,
are keen poachers. Passing through the forest during the night and
early morning, they let no opportunity escape to capture anything that
comes in their way. We know as a matter of fact that numbers of cub
foxes and other animals are taken by the hay carters every year. If
they are not disposed of on their way, they are taken to Leadenhall
Market, where they are readily sold ; and it is highly probable many a
cub prairie wolf has been sold in London as a cub fox. A case in point
is furnished by Mr. Payze, who, although he has kept many foxes from
time to time, was quite willing to accept this prairie wolf as a cub fox
when offered to him."
Subsequently a writer in the ' St. James's Gazette ' for 25th Novem-
ber, 1885, gave some further particulars :—
"******A strange quadruped had been often seen by the
botanist and collector whilst searching the most unfrequented portions
of the forest for rare plants, insects, or birds. Then, too, the peculiar
bark or howl of the coyote had been heard. Moreover, ' a large dark-
coloured fox with a bad brush ' had been repeatedly seen dashing across
some glade when the poacher was returning home or the labourer going
early to work in the summer morning. Not many weeks ago a friend of
the writer saw what at the time he said was no fox, as it hurriedly
crossed a ' drive,' and was at once lost in the thick undergrowths of
bracken and brushwood.
" The cub found near Ongar was brought up as a pet, well nurtured
and cared for ; and, with the fox-terrier puppy as one playmate and Mr.
Payze's little son for another, it grew and grew until maturity was
reached. Quite as companionable as a dog, it followed at Mr. Payze's
heels ; went into the village with him ; and, if startled or alarmed there,
' Charlie' darted home to his kennel with the sped of a deer, clearing
the gates and walls in a surprising manner for an animal of its size.
Always somewhat vicious with strangers, increasing age made it more so.
Rough-coated dogs became its abomination ; and eats it appeared to love
only when it could snap pieces out of them—pieces which the beast
promptly swallowed. Next the poultry had to be kept under lock and
key ; and Mr. Payze's prize goats were not safe from attack. At last,
therefore, the edict went forth for banishment. Mr. Bartlett at the
Zoological Gardens was communicated with; and here the ' Epping Forest
wolf ' may now be seen pacing his cage, and displaying all the ferocity
of his cousins in the dens adjoining, evidently forgetful of the education
of his cub-hood. This change was gradual; for he has been in the gar-
dens over twelve months, and after only a few weeks' incarceration he
recognised the call of his late owner when he paid a visit to the gardens..
" Within four months of the present time the little fox-terrier bitch
to which allusion has already heen made went on a visit to her former
playmate, and when the two were in the cage together mutual recogni-
tion took place. They fawned on each other, and played together as they
had often done before ; and this was the more remarkable inasmuch as
Charlie had previously shown the utmost ill-temper whenever a dog