494 
THE STORY OF THE WOLVERINE. 
their breeding-places, and which are frequently the deserted lairs of bears. 
In North America the young are born in June or July, the number of indi¬ 
viduals in a litter being, according to Coues, generally four or five, but it is 
stated that there are sometimes only a pair. The young remain with their 
mother till the following winter, when they have to shift for themselves. 
The Cree Indians state that the mother is exceedingly fierce when defending 
her offspring, and at such times will not hesitate to attack human beings. 
In regard to food, the glutton will devour any animal that it can catch 
and overmaster, and that it is by no means averse to carrion. The activity 
of the animal is such that it can at times capture such nimble prey as hares 
and grouse, while disabled or weakly deer are always successfully attacked. 
The stories of its attacking healthy, full-grown reindeer are, however, im¬ 
probable. Foxes, rabbits, marmots, etc., are dug out from their burrows 
and eaten. 
The glutton is the particular foe of the beaver and frequently digs that 
animal out of his house of mud and sticks even in midwinter when the 
beaver’s home is solidly frozen. 
