168 



CaRNIVORA FiSSIPEDlA. 



of wolves. It was formerly abundant in many parts of 

 this country and Canada where it is never seen now, but 

 it still ranges the plains in the West and Southwest por- 

 tions of the United States. It is a handsome animal, 

 showing considerable variation in color from a grey with 

 black tips to brown and black specimens. The tail is 

 usually tipped with black, and the large reddish ears are 

 also black at the points. The dense, long fur is rather 

 harsh. 



Although the Coyotes are generally classed by scien- 

 tists as all belonging to one species, Dr. Merriam, from an 

 examination of a number of specimens received from all 

 parts of the United States, was led to separate them into 

 eleven distinct species. 



What the Coyote lacks in courage it makes up in auda- 

 city. W. T. Hornaday says : It seems to know when the 

 hunter has left his gun behind, and on such occasions will 

 boldly plant itself within a stone's throw of its enemy, 

 and even when a man is armed it seems to know within a 

 rod just how near it is safe to approach. It is a coward, 

 and, "so far as man is concerned a band of a thousand 

 Coyotes can be put to flight as easily as one animal ; but 

 in hanging on the ragged edge of. civilization and living 

 by its wits no one can beat the Coyote." 



Wolf skins were formerly used only in their natural 

 color for making sleigh robes and coats, but when the 

 constantly increasing demand for muffs and neck pieces 

 of long fluffy fur caused such a phenominal advance in 



