350 BACKBONED ANIMALS. 
burrows in communities of twenty or thirty.* The holes 
are connected underground and generally found stored 
with sea-birds. The prairie, swift, gray, coast, silver, and 
cross foxes are familiar American members of the family. 
The wolf (Fig. 372) (Canis) somewhat resembles the fox, 
but is larger and much more powerful. The coyote, or 
prairie-wolf, is a typical American species. They attain a 
length of thirty-eight inches to the base of the tail, which 
is fifteen inches longer. They live more or less in com- 
munities, and the young, often ten, are reared in burrows, 
appearing in April. The gray, black, dusky, red, and 
Mexican wolves are other species. The Asiatic wolves 
are noted for their ferocity. The jackal is a wolf-like 
creature of Asia and Africa. The dog (Canis familiaris) 
is probably a descendant of the wolf. 
VALUE.—Skin, hide, oil, bones, teeth, and for domestic use. 
Fic. 372.—The wolf (Cans Jupus), showing the dog-like form. - 
® These animals formerly existed in incredible numbers on Behr- 
ing Island, and were so tame that they overran the camps, carrying 
off hats, mittens, and clothing, nosing the sleepers in the night, and 
having actually to be driven away with clubs. 
