THE CLOWN OF THE PRAIRIES 9$ 



he shows himself at close range, and is often 

 bold. 



Near Canon City, Colorado, an apple grower 

 showed me a three-legged coyote that used his 

 orchard. The coyote had been about for four 

 or five years and was quite tame. He was fed 

 on scraps and was wise enough to stay in the 

 small zone of safety round the house. 



But the coyote never forgets. His keen 

 senses and keen wits appear to be always awake, 

 even though surroundings have long been 

 friendly. For a time I stayed at an isolated cattle 

 ranch upon which hunting was forbidden. But 

 one day a man carrying a gun strolled into the 

 field. While he was still a quarter of a mile 

 away the coyotes became watchful and alarmed. 

 To me the appearance of the man and gun dif- 

 fered little from that of the men carrying fish- 

 ing poles; but the wise coyotes either scented or 

 could distinguish the gun. Presently all hurried 

 away. While the gunner remained, at least 

 one of the coyotes sat where he could overlook 

 the field. But all came strolling back within a 

 few minutes after the gunner left. 



In western Wyoming, not far from a ranch 

 house, were three small hills. On these the 

 wolves and coyotes frequently gathered and 

 howled. One day a number of traps were set 

 on each of these hills. That evening the wolves 



