ANIMAL AND ITS ENVIRONMENT 



463 



white in winter, when the entire landscape is snow-covered, to a 

 darker color during the summer. On the tundra nest vast numbers 

 of migratory birds, some of which, like the golden plover, fly to 

 winter homes in South America. 



2. The Coniferous Forest Formation (Spruce-Moose Biome).— 

 South of the Arctic tundra and below the high mountain tundra 

 along the Rockies and the Sierras is the great coniferous forest 

 whose dominant vegetation is evergreen, composed chiefly of spruces, 



Fig. 200. — Distribution of the major biotic regions in Northi America. 



firs, and pines of many species. The moose and the woodland caribou 

 are characteristic animals over the greater part of the area. They 

 feed upon grass and shrubs, chiefly in open areas near streams or 

 lakes. The principal carnivore is the timber wolf. The Canada 

 lynx is also a creature of the evergreen forest. Black bears are 

 numerous but are widespread, also, Deyond the borders of this for- 

 mation. The wolverine and the red fox are lesser carnivores. The 

 varying hare is similar to the Arctic hare but lives in more protected 

 situations. 



