70 THE BOOK OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM 



become scarce since the disappearance of Bison, Elk and Blacktail. 

 ... A black variety still haunts the recesses of the Florida ever- 

 glades. . . . 



"In the ranching districts, however, Cattle and Sheep keep many 

 bands alive wherever there are rocky fastnesses to which they may 

 retire, in spite of the traps, poisons and guns which they understand 

 so much better than did their forefathers ; but they are not as adapt- 

 able, clever and safe as the Coyotes." 



COYOTE, OR PRAIRIE WOLF.— It will be as well to introduce 

 the Coyote, or Prairie Wolf, here in view of the mention made of 

 it by Mr. Ingersoll. Unlike the animal last under review, the 

 present inhabitant of North America and Southern Canada is speci- 

 fically distinct from the Common Wolf. The Coyote is smaller in 

 stature and possesses a much more prominent tail in thickness, 

 length of fur and bushiness. 



Fig. 57 will give a general idea of the form of this inhabitant 

 of the prairie. The thick fur in which it is clothed gives it a bulkier 

 appearance than it really possesses, the legs seeming to be short 

 and stumpy. It reminds one somewhat of a shaggy-coated Collie 

 Dog, but it varies a good deal in colour according to the season. 



In Summer it is bright fulvous-brown, in Winter it is grey or 

 greyish, and in both instances there is a black shading on top of 

 the ground-colour which has the effect of forming stripes down the 

 back and elsewhere. 



Although the Common Wolf will on occasion burrow in the 

 ground of its own accord (a habit which, so far as my experience 

 goes, the sly Fox never exhibits), the Coyote is much more fond of 

 carrying out excavation work, and is to be regarded as not nearly 

 so savage in general disposition. In consequence it is not found to 

 be so destructive, and makes quite a solicitous pet in captivity. 



In many of its ways it is, of course, very distinctly Wolf-like, 

 sometimes hunting in packs and offering, when attacked, a fierce 

 defence. Out on the lone wastes of the vast prairie the voice of the 

 Coyote gives that touch of weirdness and wildness to the environ- 

 ment which has a peculiar fascination for the stalker. Although a 

 different howl from that of the Common Wolf, it is quite as loud. 



In the matter of diet the Coyote is by no means a particular 

 beast, feeding upon various small mammals and birds as well as 

 wild fruits of various kinds. In keeping down such creatures as 

 Rats and Rabbits there seems little doubt that the Coyote acts as 



