34 THE WILDERNESS OF THE UPPER YUKON 



tridges were jacketed with nickel, split at four places, and 

 the lead was exposed at the tip. 



It was afternoon when I came out on the divide, and 

 made directly for the bear's carcass, intending to climb 

 the spur and ascend along the saddle to the crest of the 

 main range. A few moose tracks were seen on the 

 divide, made undoubtedly when the moose cross over, 

 since feed is so scarce there that they never loiter. 

 Near the carcass a marmot whistled; in many places 

 ptarmigan were flushed, and Alaska jays, Perisorius can- 

 adensis fumifronsy were abundant everywhere in the tim- 

 ber, and in the willows above. A pair of golden eagles 

 were soaring along the crest, always a beautiful sight 

 and a constant feature of those northern ranges. 



The main range here extends parallel with the divide 

 clear to the meadows of the creek on the west, perhaps 

 twelve miles distant, and east to the north and south 

 range on the west side of Coal Creek. The northern 

 slopes, facing the divide, are very steep and broken into 

 precipices and projecting spurs. The south slope, then 

 visible for the first time, inclines somewhat evenly to 

 another divide, broken here and there by gorges, and 

 sends out an occasional spur. The rim of the crest is 

 uneven, now rising into high peaks, now capped by 

 jagged boulders and pinnacles, and again extending 

 evenly for a hundred yards more, to the next peak. In 

 places on the south side, before the incline becomes 

 abrupt, are green pastures, where grass, weeds, and moss 

 were abundant all excellent feeding for sheep and cari- 

 bou. The snow is confined to northerly slopes where it 



