Trail and Camp-Fire 



In old times, before the days of range 

 cattle, the coyotes in the buffalo range sub- 

 sisted chiefly on the dead buffalo that they 

 found, on the remains of those killed by man, 

 and of those killed by the wolves. In com- 

 pany with the gray wolves, the badgers and 

 the kit foxes, they visited the Indian's buffalo 

 traps. Besides this, they killed deer, ante- 

 lopes, jack rabbits and grouse, together with 

 prairie dogs, ground squirrels, mice, and all 

 sorts of ground nesting birds. In those days 

 coyotes seemed few in number by comparison 

 with the gray wolves, and they were always 

 timid. Yet at night they would sneak into 

 camp, and carry away any food that might 

 have been left lying about, or would chew 

 up reins, horse collars, bridles, raw-hide ropes, 

 and even saddles, if these were left where they 

 could get at them. 



In the northern plains country the young 



coyotes are born about May i, and in their 



early puppyhood are maltese blue in color. 



They are brought forth usually in a hole dug 



in the side of a ravine, and until they are 



quite well grown do not venture far from 



home, holding themselves always in readiness 



to dive under ground at the slightest alarm. 



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