37 
6. Canis tundrarum Miller, barren-ground wolf. 
Eskimo: Amarok. 
The barren-ground wolf occurs more or less commonly throughout 
Baffin island, but according to the writer’s experience is not, as has been 
stated, abundant. In some past years, the animal may have been more 
in evidence, but it is questionable if the wolves ever were truly numerous. 
The accumulations of pelts at a trading post may give a false impression 
of abundance, for the skins usually come from wide areas. It is thought 
that conclusive evidence of the comparative abundance or non-abundance 
of any animal active the year round, is furnished by the animal’s winter 
trails as displayed over extensive stretches of country. The writer had 
unusual opportunities to collect such evidence and it indicates that over 
large areas in southern Baffin island wolves are not very numerous. 
Mr. Duval, in 1923, stated that wolves were moderately common in 
Cumberland Sound regions. He said that, many years ago, he saw a pack 
of thirty to forty wolves travelling at a considerable distance offshore in 
Cumberland sound and that amongst them were several very dark animals. 
Mr. Duval said that wolves were not numerous near the coast, but were 
rather common inland. A bounty of $30 is now paid for a wolf; this is 
twice the sum received by an Eskimo for a fox skin and, therefore, the 
trapping of wolves has been considerably accelerated and, in a few years, 
should result in marked reduction in their numbers. Eskimo considered 
them to be harmless. 
In 1924, in some localities about Cumberland sound, wolves were not 
uncommon even along the coasts, and packs of many individuals were 
frequently observed by winter travellers. Eskimo reported them to be 
more common inland. Major Burwash reported that in April, 1924, he 
found wolves fairly common inland along the route from Cumberland to 
Hudson strait via Nettilling and Amadjuak lakes. Early in December, 
1924, the present writer observed, inland along Koukdlik river, Pangnirtung 
fiord, the tracks of a party of three wolves. The fresh remains of several 
caribou, presumably killed by these wolves, were seen. In January, 1925, 
signs of wolves were found to be comparatively scarce about the upper 
part of Cumberland sound. 
In February, 1925, while traversing Pangnirtung pass, only one wolf 
trail was seen and none thereafter during thirty-two days spent on the 
east coast and on the return journey to Pangnirtung. The Eskimo on 
Broughton island, at Kevetuk, and Merchants bay had not secured a 
single wolf as late as the middle of February. In April, 1925, many wolf 
trails were observed along Nettilling fiord; they were decidedly more 
numerous than had been observed elsewhere. Very many trails were 
crossed along the small lakes on the route to Nettilling lake. On May 23, 
a pack of four wolves were seen a few miles west of Takuirbing river. On 
June 10, two w f olves, and on June 14, one wolf, were observed near camp. 
After June 14 not a single wolf was seen during the stay, which lasted to 
September, in Nettilling Lake region. Such a scarcity was unexpected as 
wolves had been reported to be abundant in the interior. 
In January and February, 1926, during the journey to Foxe basin, 
only two wolf trails were seen; one in late January in the upper part of 
Nettilling fiord and the other on February 9, along Auntak river. The 
wolves, like the caribou, apparently are absent from the western tundra 
during winter. In March, 1926, during a 28-day trip into Nettilling Lake 
