112 KESOUECES OF CALIFORNIA. 



as a time for attacking colts, which are a favorite prey with 

 him. He is found in all parts of the state where there is tim- 

 ber, but he never stojDS long in any place, unless he can find 

 bushes to hide in. 



The American wild- cat [Lynx rufus) is common in Califor- 

 nia, particularly in the vicinity of the bays of San Francisco 

 and San Pablo, where he often catches fish and water-fowl as 

 well as land-animals. His color is a light brown, with dim, 

 dark spots on the sides, and longitudinal lines along the middle 

 of the back. 



§ 89. Wolves and Foxes. — The gray wolf ( Ccinis occidenta- 

 lism is found in all the inhabited j)arts of California, but is not 

 abundant. 



The coyote is very common in the state, and occupies the 

 same place here with that occupied in the Mississippi valley 

 by the prairie-wolf. Dr. Newberry thinks the two belong to 

 l^he same species ( Ganis latrans), but I am inclined to believe 

 that they are specifically different. The color of the coyote 

 has more of a reddish tinge, he howls more, does not bark so 

 much, and is more cunning. His food consists chiefly of rab- 

 bits, grouse, small birds, mice, lizards, and frogs ; and in time 

 of scarcity he will eat carrion, grasshoppers, and bugs. He is 

 very fond of poultry, pigs, and lambs, and will destroy almost 

 as many of them as would a fox. He is one of the worst ene- 

 mies and most troublesome pests of the farmer. His method 

 of catching chickens is to hide near the hen-roost about day- 

 light, and, as the hens come down, he pounces upon them from 

 his hiding-place ; and his motions are often so quick, that the 

 victim has not even time to squall before she dies. In the 

 spring and autumn, when wild geese and ducks are abundant, 

 many coyotes make their homes in the tules, where they catch 

 the birds which have been wounded by the hunters. 



The coyote loves nothing better than a young pig. When 

 he sees an old sow with her young ones, he will hide, and wait 

 a long time, in hopes that a little one will come within his 

 reach ; but if there be no hiding-place, he goes up boldly. The 



