THE COYOTE 



57 



mind-reader, his actions belie him. Twice in Montana, each 

 time for two weeks, I tried my utmost to shoot a Coyote; 

 but during those periods not one would offer more than a 

 running shot at three hundred yards or more. Twice, how- 

 ever, — and immediately after these experiences, — when I was 

 riding quite unarmed, have Coyotes sat down beside the trail, 

 waited for me to approach within forty yards, then yawned 

 in a bored manner, 

 and slowly trotted off. 

 It is my belief that 

 those animals knew 

 perfectly well my in- 

 ability to shoot. 



The food of Coyotes 

 consists chiefly of prai- 

 rie-"dogs," ground- 

 squirrels, sage-grouse, 

 hares, and rabbits. 

 The largest animals 

 ever killed by them 

 are deer and prong-horned antelope. From the ranchman 

 they steal poultry, pigs, lambs, and sheep. They "den" in 

 "washouts," or deep holes in the cut banks of ravines, and 

 rear from five to seven puppies every May. 



The cry of the Coyote is a dog-like yelping, half howl and 

 half bark; whereas the call of the gray wolf is a prolonged 

 and steady deep-bass howl. As far as they can be heard, 

 these wolves can be distinguished by their cries, and to 

 those who have camped on the plains, or in the wild and 



N. Y. Zoological Park. 



COYOTE. 



