IXfitb 5o(8 of (mottnfain^^ttittini^0 



snow-slide, the white terror of the heights, oc- 

 casionally carries off an entire flock of these 

 bold, vigilant sheep. 



The mountain lion is a prowler, a cowardly, 

 rapacious slaughterer, and may visit the heights 

 at any time. Though apparently irregular in 

 his visits, he seems to keep track of the seasons 

 and to know the date for spring lamb, and he is 

 likely to appear while the sheep are weak or 

 snowbound. He is a wanton killer and is ever 

 vigilant to slay. He lurks and lies in wait and 

 preys upon all the birds and beasts except the 

 bear. 



This treeless realm is roamed by both the 

 grizzly and the black bear; both pay most visits 

 during the autumn, and the grizzly occasionally 

 hibernates in these uplands. In summer they 

 range the forests far below, but with the coming 

 of autumn they climb the slopes to dig out fat 

 woodchucks and to get the last of the season's 

 berries, with which to put on final fat for hiber- 

 nating. They overturn stones for mice and lick 

 up the accumulations of chilled insects which 

 they find along the snow and ice fields. Myriads 



107 



