DON COYOTE 



(Canis ochropus estor) 



WHETHER out of curiosity or contempt every- 

 body seems to be interested in the ways and 

 doings of the clever coyote. His ability to raid 

 hen-roosts successfully without being caught, 

 and his cunning in combination with his seem- 

 ing cowardice, have brought him into dis- 

 repute among all people. Perhaps no Western 

 animal has had so many cursings breathed upon 

 him. 



And if he is held in contempt among men, 

 what must his social standing among animals 

 be! Surely none of them love him. I have 

 watched too many merry waltzings of the 

 kangaroo rats on the moonlit sands broken up 

 by his approach, seen where too many mouse 

 homes have been dug out and destroyed, wit- 

 nessed rabbits escape capture too often to 

 have any doubts as to just what they must 

 think of him. Even the dog, his nearest cousin, 

 ordinarily disavows any relation to him and 



