The Kadiak Bear and his Home. 



In 1901 the opportunity came to me to make a 

 trip to the island which the Kadiak bear inhabits, 

 and to become slightly acquainted with this largest 

 of all carnivora. My companion was A. W. Mer- 

 riam, of Milton, Mass. 



We were under great obligations to Dr. C. Hart 

 Merriam, of the Biological Survey, Washington, 

 who, before we left home, gave us valuable infor- 

 mation about the large game of Alaska. He told 

 us of investigations which might prove of scien- 

 tific value, and helped us to place our trip on a 

 much broader base than a mere shooting expedi- 

 tion. One of the pleasantest features of such a trip 

 was to see how freely information came in from all 

 sides from those who could help in rounding out 

 our work. 



In order to find the Alaskan bears in their best 

 pelage one must be on the ground in April, and this 

 made it necessary for us to sail from Seattle April 

 i, on the Pacific Steam Whaling Company's boat, 

 Excelsior. Seattle proved a very good outfitting 



225 



