266 THE COYOTE. 



pleasures and privations of a nomad existence. On account of his wolfish ancestry, he was 

 rather apt to run off and play with the young Wolves instead of attending to his duty, but 

 was never induced to throw off his allegiance. On one occasion the dog saved the life of his 

 master by lying close to him on a bitterly freezing night, and with his long warm fur preserving 

 him from the terrible death by frost. 



The Wolf is a rather prolific animal, producing from three to nine young at a litter. In 

 January the mother Wolf begins to prepare her habitation for the expected inmates, a task 

 in which she is protected, and perhaps assisted, by her mate, who has won her in fair fight 

 from his many rivals. He attaches himself solely to one single mate, and never leaves her 

 until the young Wolves are able to shift for themselves. The nest in which the little family 

 is nurtured is softly and warmly lined with dry moss and with the fur of the mother, which 

 she pulls from her own body. March is the usual month for the appearance of the little 

 family, and they remain under the maternal protection for seven or eight months. They 

 begin to eat meat at four or five weeks of age, and are taught by their parents to join 

 in the chase. 



In the family Canidce (the Dogs), species are pretty evenly distributed over the two 

 continents, America and Asia. In North America there are ten species, and in South 

 America nine. 



The Dog family is well marked by two groups : the Wolves and Foxes. 



The Gray Wolf (Cams occidentalis). This species is now regarded as distinct from the 

 European form, though naturalists formerly claimed their identity. 



Prince Maximilian, of New Wied, Germany, in his "Journey to North America, 1841," 

 says: "This Wolf is" — speaking of the form seen by him in the Western Territories — 

 "distinguished from that of the Eastern States — which resembles the European — by the 

 somewhat smaller size, shorter, thicker snout, somewhat shorter ears, and by the want of the 

 dark strips -running down the legs in the European species ; also by the color, varying from 

 the ordinary Wolf's-gray to the pure white." This Wolf brings forth in April a litter of from 

 four to nine young, in a burrow. 



In Florida, a variety of this Wolf * is found, having a jet black pelt. Audubon states that 

 this kind was very abundant in Henderson, Kentucky, his place of residence, and mentions an 

 instance of the complete domestication of one of these animals. 



A singular result of the frequent discharge of fire-arms in the region inhabited by the 

 Coyotes, is seen in their inquisitive habits. So ravenous are they, the discharge of a gun has 



* Note by the Editor. — The Prairie Wolf (Canis latrans) is intermediate in size between the Fox and the Wolf, 

 resembling the former in the sharpness of its muzzle, and the latter in the form and character of the tail. The description 

 above referring to the "Coyote," which has been named Canis ochropus, Esch., applies only to a variety, not to a distinct 

 species. The Prairie Wolf is called also Coyote. Lewis and Clark named it Burrowing Dog. The terms Canis ochropus 

 and Cards latrans are therefore synonymous. 



Dr. Coues has had most excellent opportunities to study this animal, being stationed, as IT. S. Army Surgeon, at 

 various posts near which this creatnre abounds. He gives us, in his usual scholarly and interesting language, the following 

 account : "The Prairie or Barking Wolf (Canis latrans, Say), is by far the most abundant carnivorous animal in Arizona, as 

 it also is in almost every part of the West. Practically, the Coyote is a nuisance ; theoretically, he commands a certain 

 degree of admiration, viewing his irrepressible positivity of character and his versatile nature. If his genius has nothing 

 essentially noble or lofty about it, it is undeniable that few animals possess so many and so various attributes, or act them 

 out with such dogged perseverance. Ever on the alert, and keenly alive to a sense of danger, he yet exhibits the coolest 

 effrontery when his path crosses ours. The. main object of his life seems to be the satisfying of a hunger which is always 

 craving, and to this aim all his cunning, impudence, and audacity are mainly directed." * * * 



" It is a singular fact that the howling of two or three Wolves gives an impression that a score are engaged, so many, 

 so long-drawn are the notes, and so uninterruptedly are they continued by one individual after another. A short, sharp 

 bark is sounded, followed by several more in quick succession, the time growing faster and the pitch higher, till they run 

 together into a long-drawn, lugubrious howl in the highest possible key. The same strain is taken up again and again by 

 different members of the pack, while from a greater distance the deep, melancholy baying of the more wary Lobo breaks in, 

 to add to the discord, till the very leaves of the trees seem quivering to the inharmonious sounds. It is not true, as asserted 

 by some, that the Coyotes howl only just after dark and at daylight. They are rarely, if ever, heard in the daytime, though 

 frequently to be seen, especially in secluded places." * * * 



" There is abundant evidence that the Coyote will cross and bear fertile offspring with the domestic dog. The 

 hybrid is said to possess the bad qualities of both parents, and the good ones of neither," It brings forth in May, five 

 or six puppies. 



