. Principles of economic zoo?logy. Zoology, Economic. MAMMALIA 363 The coyote (C. latrans) (Fig. 292)of the western plains is one-third smaller than the gray wolf, and carries the tail low, as befits a coward, while that of the wolf points above the horizon. The cry is a dog-like yelp, half howl, half bark. They feed upon prairie-dogs, ground squirrels, sage grouse, and rabbits, and, probably, sheep and pigs. They are not dangerous to man. The five to seven puppies are born in deep holes or washouts in the banks of streams in May. The cat family (Fe'lidce) includes lions, tigers, cats, and the
. Principles of economic zoo?logy. Zoology, Economic. MAMMALIA 363 The coyote (C. latrans) (Fig. 292)of the western plains is one-third smaller than the gray wolf, and carries the tail low, as befits a coward, while that of the wolf points above the horizon. The cry is a dog-like yelp, half howl, half bark. They feed upon prairie-dogs, ground squirrels, sage grouse, and rabbits, and, probably, sheep and pigs. They are not dangerous to man. The five to seven puppies are born in deep holes or washouts in the banks of streams in May. The cat family (Fe'lidce) includes lions, tigers, cats, and the hunting leop- ards. The distribution is worldwide, with the exception of Australia and a good deal of the Australian region. In genus Felis the claws are retractile. The lion (F. leo) differs from all others by the possession of a mane by the adult male. The largest lions come from south Africa. The adult is uniform pale tawnish or yellowish gray. The young is spotted. It inhab- its Africa, India, parts of western Asia, and formerly ranged into Fig. 292.—Coyote. (Circular 63, Biologic Survey, U. S. D. A., April, 1908.) It is mainly nocturnal in its habits, though it often feeds in daytimeor at dusk, as the animals go to the spring for water. It feeds on anything it can capture, or even on carrion. The male may hunt alone, while his mate cares for the two to five whelps or cubs in some dense cover, bringing the food to his mate. It is said, however, that the males eat at the first table, leaving the rest of the family to take what is left. When the cubs are old enough the mother joins in the search for prey, which is usually obtained by "stalking," that is, by stealthily creeping up through the tall grass and leaping upon it, striking a fell blow, and with claws and teeth. Failing in this, they sometimes give chase. Lions cannot climb trees. "The choice of mate seems to lie with the female," says Ingersoll, "and the continuance o
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