1911] Taylor: Mammals of the 1909 Nevada Expedition. 293 



Ljmx baileyi C. H. Merriam. 

 Wild Cat. 



This species is apparently quite rare in the region explored. 

 The first direct evidence of its presence was the observation of 

 fresh tracks in a rocky gorge near our camp on Alder Creek at 

 6000 feet altitude, which could have been made by no other 

 animal. The cowboys at Big Creek Ranch asserted that wild cats 

 had been seen in Big Creek Caiion, and INIr. Matthew Price of 

 the "Dugout Camp" also bore testimony to that effect. ]Mr. F. 

 M. Payne of Quinn River Crossing reported their occurrence 

 along the river in winter. 



Although there is a slight possibility of error as to species, the 

 M'ild cat of the region is probably referable to haileyi. The latter 

 is included in the list of common mammals of the arid interior 

 by Bailey (1908, p. 26), although no definite record stations are 

 listed or cited. 



Canis lestes C. H. ]\Ierriam. 



Great Basin Coyote. 



Status. — The two specimens taken are adult male and female 

 respectively (nos. 8260, 8261). Their pelage is very much worn 

 and so does not warrant a detailed account. So far as can be 

 made out, with the few exceptions noted below, the coloration of 

 our specimens accords with C. Hart Merriam 's description of 

 lestes (1897a, p. 25). Neither specimen has the broad black ruff 

 on the throat, which is more whitish in color, sprinkled with a few 

 dark brown hairs. The male has the hind feet buffy ochraceous 

 instead of white. The color becomes lighter along the inner sides. 

 This specimen has the tail tipped with black, but the darkening, 

 instead of increasing uniformly toward the end, is located about 

 a third from the base of the tail, which then becomes lighter, 

 darkening gradually toward the tip. There is no black on the 

 tail of the female. The ventral surface of the tail is white, the 

 dorsal presents a stripe of liver brown or bay. This is rendered 

 obscure in places l\v the wearing off of the hairs. The coloration 

 of the female is much closer to ]\ferriam's description than is that 

 of the male. 



