hat the ordinary traveller will see; I go with
him indeed, pointing out my friends as they chance to pass, adding a few
comments that should make for a better acquaintance on all sides. And I
have offered glimpses, wherever possible, of the wild thing in its home,
embodying in these chapters the substance of many lectures given under
the same title as this book.

The cover design is by my wife, Grace Gallatin Seton. She was with me in
most of the experiences narrated and had a larger share in every part of
the work than might be inferred from the mere text.

ERNEST THOMPSON SETON.

Contents

PAGE

=I. The Cute Coyote= 1

An Exemplary Little Beast, My Friend the Coyote 3

The Prairie-dog Outwitted 5

The Coyote's Sense of Humour 8

His Distinguishing Gift 11

The Coyote's Song 13

=II. The Prairie-dog and His Kin= 17

Merry Yek-Yek and His Life of Troubles 19

The Whistler in the Rocks 22

The Pack-rat and His Museum 23

A Free Trader 25

The Upheaver--The Mole-Gopher 27

=III. Famous Fur-bearers--Fox, Marten, Beaver and Otter= 29

The Most Wonderful Fur in the World 32

The Poacher and the Silver Fox 35

The Villain in Velvet--The Marten 47

The Industrious Beaver 48

The Dam 51

The Otter and His Slide 52

=IV. Horns and Hoofs and Legs of Speed= 55

The Bounding Blacktail 57

The Mother Blacktail's Race for Life 59

The Blacktail's Safety Is in the Hills 62

The Elk or Wapiti--The Noblest of all Deer 63