216 CALIFORNIA MAMMALS. 



eastward to the Rocky Mountains. In the interior northward 

 they are found to the plains of British America. In Cahfornia in 

 summer this species seems to be Hmited to the mountains and high 

 plains of the northeastern part of the State, coming- lower in win- 

 ter. 



Canis meamsi Merriam. (For Dr. E. A. Mearns.) 



MEARNS COYOTE. 



Similar to ochropus but deeper colored, more tawny; skull 

 and teeth similar to those of cstor; size of cstor. 



Type locality, Pima County, Arizona. 



Southern Arizona, northern Sonora, the mountains of north- 

 ern Lower California and of southern California. 



This brightly colored coyote occurs in small numbers in the 

 mountains of San Diego County. 



Little harm would be doiie if all the Californian Coyoies were 

 grouped together under the name ochropus. There is consider- 

 able individual and seasonal variation of color, and the skulls, 

 which are the best guides, in most cases require careful compar- 

 isons with good series to decide which species the individuals be- 

 long to. Those not experts will find it difficult to determine the 

 species of Coyotes. 



Canis mexicanus Linn. 



GRAY WOLF. 



Size large; general color varying from very pale gray to 

 blackish; commonly yellowish gray above, more or less grizzled 

 with long black hairs, the amount of black being quite variable ; 

 lower parts pale yellowish gray, sometimes with black tips to the 

 hairs of the neck; ears brownish yellow or reddish; tip of tail 

 blackish. 



Length about 1525 mm. (60 inches); tail vertebrae 380 

 (15) ; hind foot 230 (9). 



Type locality, Mexico. 



