170 FRIENDS WORTH KNOWING. 
dary, and their numbers, probably, have correspondingly 
decreased. 
It thus appears that in three-quarters of a century the 
buffalo has been compelled to relinquish a habitat cover- 
ing a third of the continent for two regions not greater 
together than the present Territories of Montana and Da- 
kota; and they were formerly just as numerous over the 
whole extent as they now are in favored spots within their 
range. Hence the theory that they have not been so mach 
reduced in numbers as they have been circumscribed in 
range and concentrated upon narrow limits, will not hold 
good. Over much of this great region they were actually 
killed on the spot, not driven out. 
