364 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



In fact, nothing eatable escapes this omnivorous prowler. It is 

 the arch-enemy of such small deer as prairie-dogs and gophers, as well 

 as of larger mammals ; and, if no better food offers, it will revel in 

 carrion of any sort. "It resorts in great numbers to the vicinity of 

 settlements where offal is sure to be found, and surrounds the hunter's 

 camp at night. It is well known to follow for days in the trail of a 

 traveler's party, and each morning, just after camp is broken, it rushes 

 in to claim whatever eatable refuse may have been left behind. But 

 it can not always find a sufficiency of animal food. Particularly in the 

 fall, it feeds extensively upon tunas which are the juicy, soft, scarlet 

 fruit of various species of prickly pear ( Opicntia) ; and in the winter, 

 upon berries of various sorts, particularly those of the juniper." 



Under the pangs of excessive hunger these small wolves are com- 

 pelled to a furtive boldness they are incapable of under ordinary cir- 

 cumstances. Thus I have known them to come repeatedly within 

 pistol-range of my camp-fire, in the mountains of Southern Colorado, 

 and hunters tell me that they have been known to pull the boots or 

 the leathern straps of a saddle from under the head of a sleeping 

 camper. Sitgreaves records that when, for two days and nights, his 

 party had kept possession of some solitary springs, in an arid part of 

 Arizona, the coyotes became so desperate from thirst that they came 

 to drink while men and mules were at the spring. As a rule, how- 

 ever, they are cowardly to the last degree, and trust to superior num- 

 bers and well-laid plans to effect their object. I remember at a place 

 where I once encamped for two or three nights, in Southwestern Wy- 

 oming, that the rough ledge of a butte-face, just across the creek, was 

 the home of a family of these wolves, and I often saw them, the 

 mother lying at the mouth of their den, and the four whelps gleefully 

 romping in the sunshine. The father of this family kept out of view 

 at first, but later I caught sight of him in pursuit of a doe-antelope 

 and her fawn. . The doe was backing away on the plain, keeping the 

 little one, which seemed to understand its part perfectly, close to her 

 hind-legs. Following her closely ran the wolf, often making a dash 

 to the right or left to get at the fawn ; but each time the brave little 

 mother, whirling alertly, would present to him her lowered head, 

 and make a dash at his skull with her sharp fore-hoofs. Thus she 

 retired, but I fancy the pursuer's longer breath and varied tactics won 

 the day at last. 



The fact that in his hunting he frequently becomes a rival, his 

 incorrigible thieveries, and his unmanly deportment in hanging about 

 like a conscious felon, cause him to be despised by both hunter and 

 ranchman, who take every means to kill him, save by the honorable 

 use of gunpowder. Yet there arc times when he makes himself 

 respected and feared. 



A prime characteristic of the coyote is his astonishing voice, which 

 differs so much from the well-known wolfish howl of other members 



