796 



Life-histories of Northern Animals 



It is the opinion of all persons familiar with its habits 

 that this animal is strictly monogamous. It is usually seen 

 single or in pairs, mostly in pairs. Every scrap of recorded 

 evidence that I can find, as well as all my own observations, 

 go to prove that winter and summer it is the rule for 2 

 Coyotes to run, hunt, and live together. Even the 6 described 

 by L. Wilmot were in 3 pairs. And since this union holds the 



year round, we may safely infer 

 that the species pairs for life. 



As a natural corollary the 

 male helps in raising the brood. 

 A. S. Barton says that the 

 male aids the female with the 

 young, at least till they are able 

 to leave the den. In autumn, 

 male and female are always 

 found together, but he never 

 saw the whole family together 

 at this time. The young may 



Fig. aoo — Diagram of the Coyotf Dt-n opened by 



A. s. liarton, at Boissevain, Man. j^^^g scattcted, or those obscrved 



may have been a barren pair; such are frequent. 



The actual mating season is about the middle or during 

 the last two weeks of February. 



Their usual denning place is one dug by the Coyotes 

 themselves, in some sunny bank, but they may use an aban- 

 doned Badger hole. 



The entrance is about 10 by 20 inches and is commonly 

 concealed in the bushes. The actual nest is sometimes lined 

 with a little grass and fur, and sometimes is quite bare. Barton 

 sends the accompanying plan and description of one which 

 he examined near Boissevain, Man. (Fig. 200). 



Apparently it had been dug by the present owners, and 

 was much the same as the dozen or so others he had investi- 

 gated. The air-hole, located after close search, was, as usual, 

 an old Gopher hole, enlarged from below and directly over the 

 nest; he supposes it was made to admit fresh air to tlie cubs. 



