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Buffalo Hunt, White Wolves Attacking a Buffalo Bull
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A buffalo surrounded by wolves (Plate 10)."There are several varieties of the wolf species on the American prairies, the most numerous and formidable of which is the white wolf, found in great numbers in high latitudes and near the Rocky Mountains. These animals are equal in size, in many instances, to the largest Newfoundland dog; and, from the whiteness of their hair, appear, at a distance on the green prairies, much like a flock of sheep, and often are seen to the number of fifty or a hundred in a pack; and in this way following the numerous herds of buffaloes from one end of the year to the other, gorging their stomachs with the carcasses of those animals that fall by the hands of the hunters or from sickness and old age. Whilst the buffaloes are grouped together, the wolves seldom attack them, as the former instantly gather for the combined resistance, which they effectually make. But when the herds are traveling, it often happens that an aged or wounded one lingers at a distance behind, and when fairly out of sight of the herd, is set upon by swarms of these voracious hunters, which are sure to last to torture him to death, and use him up at a meal."
1844
Catlin, George, 1796-1872
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W0143NW
WHi 23628
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Buffalo Hunt, Under the White Wolf Skin
1844
Indians disguised as wolves hunting buffaloes (Plate 13)."Of the white wolf and its habits I have given an account in Plate 10, and although these animals live chiefly on the flesh of the buffalo, ...
Buffalo Hunt, Approaching in a Ravine
1844
Hunters using rifles to kill buffalo (Plate 11)."This plate represents the familiar mode of procuring meat, practiced by all the voyageurs on the Missouri and other streams of that country, who run...
Buffalo Hunt, Chasing Back
1844
Buffalo chasing hunter with rifle on horseback (Plate 12)."The wounded and chafed bull often turns upon its assailant, and runs him back, over the whole ground; in which unpleasant reverse he has l...
Buffalo Hunt, Chase
1844
Indians on foot and horseback hunting buffaloes (Plate 7)."The buffalo is a harmless and timid animal until severely wounded, or closely pursued, when it often turns upon horse and rider with a gre...
Dying Buffalo Bull, in Snow Drift
1844
Indians on snowshoes hunting buffaloes trapped in snow (Plate 17)."In this view the reader is introduced to the optimum of dreariness and severity which the hunters of the northern prairies have to...
Buffalo Hunt, Chase
1844
Indians on horseback hunting buffaloes (Plate 6)."In this Plate, representing a numerous group in motion, and closely pursued by a party of Indians, with Lances and Bows, there is a fair illustrati...
