Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1881-08-17
Wolves and Coyotes.

The coyote is much smaller than his
gray brother. The latter is nearly as
large as Newfoundland dog, the former
about twice the size of a cat. The CO.
vote tancies camp fire, and sits on a
hillock within sight of its place, barking
for hours. The gray wolf bays the moon
like dog. Graham says he has seen
them sitting on the highest rocks gazing
at the bright orb with their heads thrown
back uttering unearthly howls. The
wolf scorns the coyote. When the large
wolves drag down an old buffalo bull
the coyotes huddle in the vicinity, lick
ing their chops and barking, as though
begging share of the prey. Should
these venture too near, the big fellows
utter ominous growls, and the coyotes
slink away, tails between their legs and
heads turned over their shoulders. The
coyote quickly determines the status of
hunter. If he finds him killing wolves
he keeps at respectful distance; but
if he is only hunting bears, antelope or
buffalo, the little fellow becomes quite
social. While bear hunter was butch
ering game coyotes patiently watched
his operation, and a gray wolf loped
hungrily on an outer circle. The trap
per threw piece of meat to the small
fellows, who ran off and were waylaid
by the big wolf. They dropped the
meat and returned, but seemed to learn
nothing by experience, for they fed the
robber as long as the hunter chucked
them the meat.
Many coyotes pick up their supplies
in the prairie-dog colonies. If one is
lurking in the streets and sees a dog
away from his hole, and he steals upon
him with the utmost secrecy, striving to
cut off his retreat An old dog, how
ever, is rarely caught mapping. Somo
of the fraternity are sure to espy the
wolf, and a warning bark sends the dog
into his hole, with tantalizing shake OF
the tail. The coyote dsspondently peers
into the hole, takes away the dirt with
paw, aud shifts at the lost meal. Hc
gets his eye on another dog, and crawls
toward the hole like cat upon mouse.
The warning bark is again heard. and
second meal disappears. Iniuriated by
his disappointment. the wolf Frequently
turns upon the little sentry. and for u
few seconds makes the sand fly from the
entrance Of his residence. Worn ont
by his futile efforts. hc flattcns himself
upon the sand behind the hole, and,
moiionlcsa as statue, watches II for
hours. II the dog pops out his head he
is gone. The wolf springs upon him,
the jaws come together like tho snap OF
trap, and the helpless little canine IN
turned into succulent supper. One
Meier, q well-known buffalo hunter, was
riding across dog town some years
ago, when he saw what he supposed to
lie dead coyote stretched ont at one Of
the holes. He dismounted and lifted 1t
by the tail, intending TO take the body
To camp and skin il. The coyote made
a snap at his leg, wriggled from his
grasp and sped over the prairie more
surprised than the trapper. He was in
a sound sleep when caught. But the
coyotes greater harvest is in the spring
of the year, when they fatten themselves
at the expense of the inexperienced
young dogs caught wandering from
home. Whole families enjoying the
cool evening breeze on the mountains
above their burrows are taken unawares,
and the tender young snapped up before
their parents can force them under the
ground.