THE STORY OF THE COYOTE. 
The coyote has been well-named by a western writer, “the lean, gray 
vagrant of the plains.” This animal is considerably smaller than the com¬ 
mon wolf, from which it is also distinguished by its thicker and longer fur 
and more bushy tail. 
The coyote ranges from the south of Costa Rica, in Central America, to 
the lower portions of Hudson’s Bay. It is still abundant in Texas, Northern 
Mexico 1 , and the western prairies of the United States, but is rare in Guate¬ 
mala; and it has been suggested that it is but a comparatively recent immi¬ 
grant into Central America. 
The coyote is more generally in the habit of burrowing in the ground 
than the common wolf; it is also far less savage and destructive, and becomes 
more docile and gentle in captivity. Like the common wolf, it will on occa¬ 
sions hunt in packs; and it is at least as noisy an animal, although the tone 
of its howl is quite different. As regards food, it appears to be almost om¬ 
nivorous; and, when an animal diet is unattainable, it will feed upon juniper- 
berries, or the prickly pear. Rabbits, rats, young birds, etc., form, however, 
its staple diet; and it does not appear that it ever attacks the larger mammals, 
although, when wounded and brought to bay, it will defend itself fiercely. 
In speed it is far inferior to the wolf, and it can be readily overtaken by a 
good horse. The cubs are born in May and June; the number in a litter us¬ 
ually being five or six, but occasionally ten. 
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