THE CLOWN OF THE PRAIRIES gI 
in packs. When hunting in pairs one will 
leisurely hunt, or pretend to be hunting, in 
plain view of a prairie dog or other animal. 
While this active coyote holds the attention 
of the victim the other slips close and rushes or 
springs upon it. They often save their legs 
and their lives with their brains; they succeed 
by stealth instead of sheer physical endurance. 
Antelopes, rabbits, and other animals are fre- 
quently captured by several coyotes taking part 
in the chase. Commonly they scatter in a rude 
circle and. run in relays. Those near the place 
toward which the animal is running lie in con- 
cealment close to its probable course. As the 
victim weakens all unite to pull it down and 
are present at the feast. 
They are not always successful, however. 
I have seen jack rabbits break the circle and 
escape across the prairie. Two pursuing coy- 
otes quickly gave up the race with an antelope 
when it turned at a sharp angle and struck off 
at increased speed. A deer, which several coy- 
otes had frightened into running, suddenly 
stopped in a little opening surrounded by 
bushes. Here he put up such an effective and 
successful fight that two of the attackers re- 
ceived broken ribs and the others drew off. 
An antelope on the Wyoming plains started 
several times for water, but, without reaching 
