Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1885-05-30
COWARD AND SNEAK THIEF.
An Animal that Even the Indian Dogs
Lack Upon with Contempt.


The irst experience of the Eastern
traveller on the Northern Paclhc Kali
wov usually has some reference to the
COYOTE. As the train gradually ascends
the plateaus that merge into the Rocky
Mountains on the way west from Omaha
the first form of animal life observed is
the coyote standing on some distant
knoll or half hiding in the scanty sage
brush and gazing wistfully at the passing
train.
The COYOTE is the sneak thief, the
pjckpocket of the Rocky Mountain re-
pion. Although the dog belongs to the
came genus of animals, yet the hunters
and trappers in expressing their con-
tempt for Digger Indian will compare
him to a coyote, but never to dog.
Even the Indian dog, which is COYOTE
tanned through long generations, desplses
his ancestor and fights him at every
opportunity with great show Of contempt
So cowardly is this animal that he never
dares TO seize bird which faces him.
but springs VIXEN its back is turned.
The dismal bark of the coyote at night
reminds one of the jackal of the Orient.
Nv first experience with these animals
was when sleeping in tent after hard
days ride in Wyoming on the back OF
broncho. The night was dark and
threatening. Suddenly chorus OF I'M
earthly sounds came from high rock
oyerhanging the tent.
"What on earth is that?"
Coyotes" said the guide, with curse,
turning over for renewed sleep.
took a shotgun and cartridge OF
heavy slugs and blazed away at half a
dozen figures dimly outlined on the rock
above. If there were any more strange
noises that night slept too soundly tc
hear them. In the morning two dead
coyotes were found near the tent, OIL
which the remainder of the pack and
perhaps other animals had managed to
make meal during the night. The
COYOTES followed us wherever we travel
ed. for 800 miles through the mountains,
always sinking away in the distance,
and at night, somewhat emboldened,
stealing into camp and eating the refuse
of our meals. / shot number of these
animals and dissected them. If any one
can mention an edible article in exist
ence that the coyote will not eat, he
ought to give it to the world at once as a
curiosity. To my knowledge they are
carnivorous, insectivorous, herbivorous,
graminiyorous, frugivorous, and the rest.
The antipatby between the coyote and
the Indian dog is one of the features OF
life in the West that attract attention
Some naturalists have been in haste to
use ibis fact to prove that the latter is
not a descendant from the former
Plainly, the antagonism between the
animals is proof that they are identical
species. The Indian dog has beer
trained through long generations to pro
tect the interests of his master. The
coyote is in opposition to the interests o
man. and makes it his business to stea
and plupder. The interests of the wilC
and tanned coyote are consequently an
tagonistic, and it is natural that the,
should fight. A Western artist has
photograph which shows an Indian do
and coyote side by side. Any on
who can point out any difference Il
looks ia welcome to the fame of his dis
covery.
Sportsmen, in the absence of game
often ride down the coyote, but find tn
chase brief and with few features of fo
hunting. / rode one down, but nevc
repeated the operation.
In the fights between the Indian do
and the coyote the dog usually gets a
unmerciful thrashiny, particularly if h
strays far from camp. In such cases tn
COYOTE calls his neighbors, and the ell
tire mack set upon the dog, and often XII
him. 1.-THE coyote is alone and can oil
tain no help, he makes haste to snea
away, tail between his legs. The India
dogs and the coyotes, however, int
breed commonly.
The COYOTE is found over a very vic
section of country. Evidently the
range is from sea level Ia 10000 Re
above. saw large numbers OF them
wyoming, Idaho. and Montana, betwe'
s0oO and 5000 feet above sea lew
when Hrst seen they are usually stan
;ng motionless en- some slight elevate
or among the sage brush. limo harm
likely 10 come Of them, they vii. staI
and scrutinize the traveller from We
near point. In fact, they are safer ne
nv than at q distance, ~ one u apt
take them for Indian dogs II they Ape
tame. In Idaho / saw them hunting,
their usual sneaking way. the large "a
hens Indeed. when i had taken Il
truuble 10 shoot one Of these hiris ! "
surprised 10 see a nimble coyote s''
out from under tell sage brush, ssii
,he bird and dash away. Al that ur
Twas riding through the mountains IN
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