304 CAMP-FIRES IN THE CANADIAN ROCKIES 



set forth. The Black Bear inhabits the same territory 

 as the Grizzly, but around Phillips Peak it appears to 

 be less abundant. The Cinnamon Bear is merely a color 

 phase of the Black Bear, but, remarkable to say, it is 

 absent from all the territory of the latter east of the great 

 plains. The question why this is so, is still unanswered. 



The Puma, or Mountain " Lion," * inhabits the Elk 

 River valley, but its tenancy hangs on a very slender 

 thread. The most interesting fact that can be mentioned 

 regarding it is that we were then at the northern limit 

 of a species which has the longest geographical range of 

 any large feline animal, from Phillips Peak to Pata- 

 gonia. 



We have fallen into the habit of regarding the Puma 

 as a hardy, snow-defying animal, most at home in the 

 western Rockies. But this view is entirely wrong. In 

 reality Felis concolor is more at home in the tropics of 

 northern South America than on the snowy wastes of the 

 American Rockies. The Puma is to Colorado as the 

 tiger is to Corea. 



We saw no Pumas, nor even puma tracks; but in 1904 

 Charles L. Smith caught one near the Sulphur Spring, 

 and another was taken shortly after on Pass Creek. 



Although no specimens of the Canada Lynx, or Loup 

 Cervier,f were seen during our September on the sum- 

 mits, our guides were more fortunate later on. During 

 their trapping operations, in November, they caught two 

 fine, large specimens. One was taken on Avalanche 

 Creek, and very well photographed by Mr. Smith, in the 



* Felis concolor. f Lynx canadensis. 



