94 WATCHED BY WILD ANIMALS 
to be a trifle ashamed of his companions; for, 
though he seeks adventure and is almost a 
soldier of fortune, he has a pride that does not 
sanction indiscriminate associates. 
He is commonly considered a coward; but 
this does not appear to be a proper classifica- 
tion of his characteristics. Being shy and 
cautious is the very price of his existence. He 
displays both courage and fighting blood when- 
ever there is anything to be gained by such 
display. Rarely is it cowardly to avoid being 
a target for the deadly long-range rifle or to 
slip away from an attack by dogs at over- 
whelming odds. Recklessness and rashness do 
not constitute bravery. 
The coyote constantly uses his wits. In a 
Utah desert I often saw him watching the 
flights of buzzards. If the buzzards came 
down, the coyote made haste to be among those 
at the feast. In returning from a far-off expe- 
dition on plain or desert he seems to be guided 
by landmarks; appears to recognize striking ob- 
jects seen before and to use them as guide posts. 
That he is mentally above the average animal 
is shown in the quickness with which he adjusts 
himself to changes or to the demands of his 
environment. If constantly pursued with gun, 
dogs, and traps he becomes most wary; but if no 
one in the neighbourhood attempts to swat him 
