108 WILD NEIGHBORS CHAP. 



back near to the point of starting, where the sec- 

 ond wolf is ready to keep puss going while the 

 first rests. Then the wolf in chase bowls the hare 

 over, and seeks to appropriate the whole of his 

 not over-big carcass before the resting partner can 

 come up and claim his share, whereupon a row is 

 very likely to ensue. 



To capture the sage-hen, grouse, or quail, the 

 coyote roughly quarters the ground, somewhat like 

 a trained dog, but with frequent crouching pauses, 

 all the time wending his way toward the quarry. 

 At the right moment he will drop flat in the grass 

 and creep stealthily forward, as a cat would do, 

 until near enough to make a fatal spring. The 

 birds do not seem to lie to him as they will to a 

 setter or pointer, but get up and fly the instant 

 they discover his presence. 



In fact, nothing edible escapes this omnivorous 

 prowler. It is the arch-enemy of such small deer 

 as prairie-dogs and gophers ; and one reason why 

 the rabbits have become such a pest in central 

 California is that this wolf has been mercilessly 

 killed off there. 



If no better food offers, it will revel in carrion 

 of any sort. " It resorts in great numbers to the 

 vicinity of settlements where offal is sure to be 

 found, and surrounds the hunter's camp at night. 

 It is well known to follow for days in the trail of 

 a traveller's party, and each morning, just after 

 camp is broken, it rushes in to claim whatever 



