The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-09-01
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 cat. The co.
vote fancies camp fire, and sits on @
hillock within sight Of it's 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 largo
wolves drag down al 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
stink 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 lie is only hunting bears, antelope or
buffalo, the little fellow becomes quite
ering game coyotes patiently watched
his operation, and q gray wolf loped
hungrily Oh an outer circle. The trap
per threw piece Of meat to the small
follows, 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 rs long as tho 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 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. Some
of the fraternity arc sure to espy the
wolf, and warning bark sends the dog
into his hole, with n tantalizing shake of
the tail. The coyote despondently peers
into the hole, takes away the dirt with
paw, and shifts Mt the lost meal. He
gets his eye on another dog, and crawls
toward the hole like cat upon q mouse.
The warning bark is again heard, and
second meal disappears. Infuriated by
his disappointment, the wolf frequently
turns upon the little sentry, and for
few seconds makes the sand fly from the
entrance Of his residence. Worn out
by his futile efforts, he fattens himself
upon the sand behind the hole and,
motionless rs statue, watches it for
hours. If the dog pops out his head he
is gone. The wolf springs upon him,
the jaws come together like the snap of
n trap, and the helpless little canine is
turned into q succulent supper. One
Meier, well-known buffalo hunter, was
riding across dog town some years
ago, whom he saw what he supposed to
bo dead coyote stretched out Mt one of
the holes. He dismounted and lifted it
by the tail, intending to take the body
to camp and skin it. The coyote made
snap at his leg, wriggled from his
grasp and sped over the prairie more
surprised than the trapper. He was in
sound sleep when caught. But the
coyotes greater harvest is in the spring
of the year, when they fatten themselves
Mt 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 unawaros,
and the tender young snapped up before
their parents can force thom under the
ground.