350 



BACKBONED ANIMALS. 



burrows in communities of twenty or thirty.* The holes 

 are connected underground and generally found stored 

 with sea-birds. The prairie, swift, gray, coast, silver, and 

 cross foxes are familiar American members of the family. 

 The wolf (Fig. 372) (Cants) somewhat resembles the fox, 

 but is larger and much more powerful. The coyote, or 

 prairie-wolf, is a typical American species. They attain a 

 length of thirty-eight inches to the base of the tail, which 

 is fifteen inches longer. They live more or less in com- 

 munities, and the young, often ten, are reared in burrows, 

 appearing in April. The gray, black, dusky, red, and 

 Mexican wolves are other species. The Asiatic wolves 

 are noted for their ferocity. The jackal is a wolf-like 

 creature of Asia and Africa. The dog (Cams familiar is) 

 is probably a descendant of the wolf. 



VALUE. Skin, hide, oil, bones, teeth, and for domestic use. 



FIG. 372. The wolf (Cant's lupus}, showing the dog-like form. 



* These animals formerly existed in incredible numbers on Behr- 

 ing Island, and were so tame that they overran the camps, carrying 

 off hats, mittens, and clothing, nosing the sleepers in the night, and 

 having actually to be driven away with clubs. 



