Intermediate in size between the foxes and the larger wolves, yet varying greatly in this respect with the different species, the coyotes are outwardly characterized by a sharp-pointed muzzle, upright ears, and a moderately long, bushy tail. The pelage is full, especially in winter. The usual color is a dirty gray, with more or less reddish tinge about the head, neck, and legs, and black hairs showing about the shoulders and on the back. The extent of the red and the black varies much with the different species. Coyotes are generally distributed from the central Mississippi Valley to the Pacific coast and from Costa Rica on the south to the plains of the Athabasca on the north.[A] In this extensive range about a dozen species have been thus far recognized.[B] Four of these are restricted to Mexico and Central America. Of the eight forms that occur in the United States, it may be remarked that their ranges and relations to each other have not been fully determined. Much material is yet needed before anyone can write with exact knowledge of their distribution. [Footnote A: Edward A. Preble informs the writer that the coyote has been captured at Fort Smith, northern Athabasca (60° north latitude), and on Nelson River in northeastern British Columbia (59° north latitude).] [Footnote B: The following is a list of the forms: 1. _Canis latrans_ Say. Type from Council Bluffs, Iowa. 2. _C. nebracensis_ Merriam. Type from Johnstown. Nebraska. 3. _C. lestes_ Merriam. Type from Toyabe Mountains. Nevada. 4. _C. frustror_ Woodhouse. Type from Fort Gibson, Indian Territory. 5. _C. mearnsi_ Merriam. Type from Quitobaquita, Arizona. 6. _C. estor_ Merriam. Type from San Juan River, Utah. 7. _C. cagottis_ II. Smith. Type from Rio Frio, Mexico. 8. _C. ochropus_ Escholtz. San Joaquin Valley, California. 9. _C. peninsulæ_ Merriam. Type from Santa Anita. Lower California, Mexico. 10. _C. microdon_ Merriam. Type from Mier. Tamaulipas. Mexico. 11. _C. vigilis_ Merriam. Type from Manzanillo. Colima, Mexico. 12. _C. goldmani_ Merriam. Type from San Vicente. Chiapas, Mexico. ] A group in which there is so much variation in size must also present considerable diversity of habits. The larger forms, like _C. latrans_, are, of course, the more injurious to the live-stock interests. Smaller species, like _C. estor_ and _microdon_, confine themselves in their food more to the smaller wild mammals and thus do much less damage. Yet it is not the intention in this preliminary bulletin to consider the species separately. Indeed, no such detailed study of their habits has yet been made. The present paper deals with the group as a whole, and is confined to a discussion of the economic relations of coyotes in general to our agricultural interests.