The Condition of Wild Life In Alaska 



the majority being of these species, are killed' 

 annually around Juneau. 



The brown bear group extends from this point 

 westward along the south coast of Alaska, out into 

 the Alaska Peninsula. Several species have been 

 described, but they can all be grouped together 

 under the common designation of Alaska brown 

 bear. They extend far up the Copper River, but 

 I could not obtain any definite record of the occur- 

 rence of members of this group north of the moun- 

 tain region and in the area drained by the Yukon. 



Polar bear occur quite abundantly north of 

 Bering Straits. Occasionally they are found on 

 the Seward Peninsula, and occur as far south as 

 St. Matthew's Island, in the middle of Bering Sea. 



Caribou. Caribou of several species are more 

 or less abundant throughout Alaska, and occur in 

 herds around the Upper Yukon, with localities of 

 especial abundance, such as the head of Forty Mile 

 River. An examination of the antlers found at 

 various points, from the Upper Yukon River to- 

 the sea, would indicate an almost complete transi- 

 tion of antler type from the Woodland (Osborn) 

 caribou, to the Barren Ground (Grant) caribou. 

 A further study of the caribou of this region Will 

 ultimately lead to a merging of the various species. 

 The work of Charles Sheldon in the study of sheep 



379 



