It's All Trew: A whale of a tale? No - try wolves

The annihilation of the buffalo brought about many sad consequences. For one, the Plains Indians lost their larder, forcing them to live on reservations or starve. Second, another species of the prairie, the Lobo wolf, was also annihilated. He, too, was dependent on the buffalo for existence. Every herd of buffalo had its own packs of following wolves. They kept the old and weak buffalo culled out, as well as any sick newborn calves. This natural-selection process assured only the strongest of the buffalo survived. Though not as well-known as buffalo hunting, killing and poisoning the wolves following the herds was also profitable. A good wolf hide often brought more money than a prime buffalo hide. Sales tickets from a hide-buying company almost always showed wolf hide purchases along with the buying of buffalo hides. By the time the buffalo were gone the Lobo wolf also disappeared. Another little-known story took place as trail herds of longhorns were driven from the south to the Kansas railheads. When a herd began its trek, flocks of cowbirds or blackbirds attached themselves to the livestock. The reason? Flies, mosquitoes, gnats, ticks and skin warbles covered the backs and hides of the longhorns making up the favorite daily menu of the crafty bird. It was an easy life just riding along on a steer's back, flying occasionally while eating whatever was at hand. The steer didn't care, maybe switching his tail once in a while. It was proved the southern birds rode and flew the entire trip to Kansas. How? One gentle bird flew too close to a cowboy who flicked his leather quirt at the bird. The tail feathers flew, leaving the bird bobtailed and easy to identify. Sure enough, at the end of the drive, the bobtailed bird was still with the herd...read more