PREFACE. 



This aims to be a book of popular Natural History on 

 a strictly scientific basis. In it are treated some 60 quad- 

 rupeds that I have known and studied for many years. 



Although I have limited the scope to the 60 species 

 that are found in Manitoba, this takes in all the large land 

 mammals of the United States, except about a dozen, in- 

 cluding five of the big game. Having followed these 60 

 into all parts of their ranges, I have virtually included the 

 Continent from Labrador to California. 



A glance at the map will show that I have had unusual 

 opportunities for gathering material, having visited nearly 

 every State in the Union, on trips to collect specimens or 

 information. Thirty years of personal observations are 

 herein set forth; every known fact bearing on the habits 

 of these animals has, so far as possible, been presented, and 

 everything in my power has been done to make this a 

 serious, painstaking, loving attempt to penetrate the intimate 

 side of the animals' lives— the side that has so long been 

 overlooked, because until lately we have persistently re- 



