THE CLOWN OF THE PRAIRIES 91 



in packs. When hunting in pairs one will 

 leisurely hunt, or pretend to be hunting, in 

 plain view of a prairie dog or other animal. 

 While this active coyote holds the attention 

 of the victim the other slips close and rushes or 

 springs upon it. They often save their legs 

 and their lives with their brains; they succeed 

 by stealth instead of sheer physical endurance. 



Antelopes, rabbits, and other animals are fre- 

 quently captured by several coyotes taking part 

 in the chase. Commonly they scatter in a rude 

 circle and run in relays. Those near the place 

 toward which the animal is running lie in con- 

 cealment close to its probable course. As the 

 victim weakens all unite to pull it down and 

 are present at the feast. 



They are not always successful, however. 

 I have seen jack rabbits break the circle and 

 escape across the prairie. Two pursuing coy- 

 otes quickly gave up the race with an antelope 

 when it turned at a sharp angle and struck off 

 at increased speed. A deer, which several coy- 

 otes had frightened into running, suddenly 

 stopped in a little opening surrounded by 

 bushes. Here he put up such an effective and 

 successful fight that two of the attackers re- 

 ceived broken ribs and the others drew off. 



An antelope on the Wyoming plains started 

 several times for water, but, without reaching 



