288 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES [Proc. 4th Ser. 



Explanation, Plate 14 



COYOTE 

 (Caxiis ochropus) 



The Coyote, in its various forms, ranges throughout the United States 

 west of the Mississippi and from Mexico to Canada. In California four 

 species or subspecies are recognized. The one shown here occurs west 

 of the high Sierras and south to the Mexican line. It is still only too 

 abundant in many places. The family shown in this group was obtained 

 in Moraga Valley near Mount Diablo, which is shown in the background. 



The Coyote is very destructive to sheep, young pigs and poultry. Be- 

 cause of its great sagacity and nocturnal predatory habits, it has always 

 been a great nuisance to the stock and poultry raiser. Because of this 

 and its destructiveness to the smaller wild animals, especially birds, a 

 bounty is paid for its capture in many counties of California. 



In the colder parts of its range the Coyote develops a good coat of 

 fur and the pelts have a fair commercial value. 



Group prepared under the direction of John Rowley. 



Background painted by Maurice G. Logan. 



Photo by Gabriel Moulin. 



