Coyote 803 



on its mound. The Coyote paid little heed but walked so as 

 to pass within 20 yards. The Prairie-dog dodged down. 

 Then Coyote No. i continued his leisurely walk, while Coyote 

 No. 2 rushed forward and hid behind another mound. Very 

 soon the Prairie-dog began to peep out, and seeing the Coyote 

 at a safe distance he scrambled onto his high outlook to hurl 

 defiant little barks after the foe. But the Coyote behind 

 sprang and all but caught him before he scrambled into 

 safety. 



In this case the combination failed, but evidently it must 

 oftentimes succeed. 



On October 3, 1902, while driving near Meeker, Colo., 

 I saw a cow defending her new-born calf from a Coyote. 

 The calf was able to stand, and 2 or 3 steers lent some aid to 

 the cow. The Coyote walked about openly and quietly or 

 sat on his haunches some 20 yards away. The cow and steers 

 went on feeding but kept an eye on the Coyote, and the 

 mother always managed to be between the calf and his foe. 

 Occasionally one of the defenders would throw up his head, 

 shake his horns, snort, and even run a few steps at the Coyote, 

 but there was a marked absence of action in the little drama. 

 Doubtless it would continue so, unless the villain got a chance 

 to rush in and inflict a deadly wound. 



Coyotes rarely molest calves or pigs in Manitoba, but they sheep- 

 are very troublesome among other live stock. In the summer 

 they kill many turkeys that roam afield far from the protection 

 of the house dog, and sheep are particularly subject to their 

 inroads. They have, indeed, nearly put an end to wool- 

 raising in the Province. They destroyed all Barton's sheep, 

 invariably selecting the fattest and best. At first it was found 

 sufficient to put bells on several of the flock. But the Coyotes 

 have got so far accustomed to these that the bells now protect 

 only the sheep that wear them; some shepherds aver that these 

 sagacious little Wolves will get up at night and listen for the 

 sheep bells, so as to know where an easy supper is awaiting 

 them. 



