266 FOUR-FOOTED AMERICAN'S 



and they came up to look, but it only attracted Ante- 

 lope who had not been hunted before, and they are now 

 growing too shy to be deceived by it. Then, in addi- 

 tion to the protection of their coloring when lying doAvn 

 and their own wonderful eyesight, the Proughorns have 

 danger signals of their own, added to various cries. 

 When alarmed, they can raise the hair on the rump 

 until it looks like a huge white chrysanthemum, being 

 visible from a great distance. 



" Now while we have been talking about the habits of 

 the Antelope, what have our pair of Coyotes planned? 



''They have sneaked along until they have discov- 

 ered a doe, grazing alone and followed by a fair-sized 

 fawn. After taking the lay of the land the Coyotes 

 separate, one going over a bit of rising ground to the 

 left and the other creeping directly towards its prey, 

 for you must understand that Coyotes, though swift 

 runners, cannot overtake an animal like the Antelope 

 except by forming a partnership of two, tlrree, or four, 

 spreading out along the runway and chasing in relays 

 — one starting when another gives out, until their 

 victim is (|uite spent. 



" The doe starts to run, the fawn keeping by her 

 side, its legs striking out awkwardly. On they go for 

 a mile or so gayly enough, the doe gradually turning to 

 the left toward an accustomed track, her white back 

 bristling in alarm, like a warning cry of ' Wolf to any 

 of her tribe who may heed. Now very soon the fawn 

 begins to lag and the Coyote gains upon them. The 

 doe is prepared for tliis, and gradually drops behind, 

 keeping the fawn in front of her. One minute more 

 and as the Coyote strives to pass and seize the kid, he 



