62 REPORT UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



creeks and streams, we find the willow-grouse (Lagopus leucurus), often 

 occurring - in large flocks. Sage-fowl (Centrocercus uropha&lanus) are 



exceedingly numerous in the sage-brush country. Dependent upon a 

 water supply, however, they rarely travel far from either springs, lakes, 

 or water-courses. We saw flocks, more particularly on the drainage of 

 the Big Sandy, that numbered over 100 birds. Owing to their food, 

 buds and leaves of sage, the meat of this fowl is frequently bitter. 

 Prairie-chickens (Pedicccetes phasianellus, var. columbianus) occur spar- 

 ingly in some of the grassy meadows on the Sweetwater. Wild geese 

 (Branta canadensis) were found in large numbers on the lakes of the 

 Shoshonee basin, and on those occurring in the sand-hills south of the 

 Seminole Hills. In one instance we saw them high up hi the mountains, 

 near the Shoshonee trail. Together with them we usually observed 

 large numbers of gray ducks (Cliaulelasmus streperus) and of " red- 

 heads" (Fuligula ferina. var. americana). Diver-ducks (Mergus, sp.) and 

 coots (Fulica americana) generally occur with them. Along the shores 

 of the lakes we may see great numbers of various sand-pipers (Tringa 

 spp.). Occasionally a heron makes its appearance. On the Sweetwater 

 many ducks and some geese are found. 



A few other animals, not exactly ranking as game, may be seen in 

 considerable numbers in our district. Prominent among these is the 

 grizzly bear ( Ursus horrihilis). In the Wind Eiver Mountains we saw two 

 specimens, and one in the Seminole hills. We never had occasion to verify 

 their reputation for ferocity, finding that after the first shot they gener- 

 ally ran away. Squirrels, both red and gray, are found in the timber. 

 Porcupines (EretJiizon epixantlws) were often met with on the western as 

 well as eastern slope of the range. We noticed that they reached up 

 nearly to timber-line. Ground-hogs or rock-dogs (Arctomys flaviventris) 

 reach from the lower foot-hills to some distance above timber-line. Their 

 shrill, penetrating call can be heard for a long distance, but it requires 

 careful and patient watching to get a good shot at them. Brown mar- 

 tens (Mustcla americana) have their habitations near pine and spruce 

 timber, but are difficult to shoot. Above timber-line we find large num- 

 bers of the little marmot (Lagomys princeps). Rendered very tame by 

 their seclusion, they often crawl out of their rocky homes and attentively 

 watch the unusual operations performed by a surveying party within 

 their domains. They are exceedingly graceful little creatures, and their 

 squeaking chirrup is the only sound heard at very high altitudes. 

 Within the mountains we find, rarely, the red fox ( Vulpes fulvuSj var. 

 macrurus). Shy and wary, he easily evades the hunter, and must be 

 trapped. Among the foot-hills of the range, and in the Sweetwater 

 hills, beaver (Castor canadensis) are numerous. Their dams and the 

 work they perform on trees and shrubbery in the vicinity of their hab- 

 itations is almost the only evidence of their existence that is ever seen 

 by the traveler. It is an exceedingly rare occurrence to see a beaver 

 during day-time. In the foot-hills, particularly in meadows, skunks 

 (Mephitis mepliitica) are sometimes met with. Their presence is not 

 desirable, although the animal is a very pretty one. Wolves (Ganis 

 occidentalis) are said to occur in the same regions, but we saw none of 

 them during the summer. 



Descending into the lower country we find an abundance of prairie 

 wolves, or coyotes (Gams latrans). Following the herds of antelope and 

 buffalo they catch the sick members thereof, thus eking out an existence 

 of questionable hapiiiness. They are rarely seen except where game is 

 in the neighborhood. Badgers (Taxidea americana) are frequently found 

 along the streams of the lovf country, living in more or less extensive 



