Chapter I: Preface

In the wilds, moving or standing, I was the observed of all observers. Although the animals did not know I was coming, generally they were watching for me and observed me without showing themselves.

As I sat on a log watching two black bears playing in a woods opening, a faint crack of a stick caused me to look behind. A flock of mountain sheep were watching me only a few steps distant. A little farther away a wildcat sat on a log, also watching me. There probably were other watchers that I did not see.

Animals use instinct and reason and also have curiosity--the desire to know. Many of the more wide-awake species do not run panic-stricken from the sight or the scent of man. When it is safe they linger to watch him. They also go forth seeking him. Their keen, automatic, constant senses detect him afar, and stealthily, sometimes for hours, they stalk, follow and watch him.

In the wilderness the enthusiastic, painstaking and skillful observer will see many wild folks following their daily routine. But, however fortunate he may be, numerous animals will watch him whose presence he never suspects.

* * * * *

Parts of the chapters in this book have appeared in the _Saturday Evening Post_, the _American Boy_, _Field and Stream_, _Munsey’s_ and _Countryside_. Acknowledgment is hereby made to the editors of these magazines for granting permission to reprint this material.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I. THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN GOAT 1
II. THE HAYMAKER OF THE HEIGHTS 16
III. INTRODUCING MR. AND MRS. SKUNK 31
IV. THE PERSISTENT BEAVER 47
V. THE OTTER PLAYS ON 60
VI. THE BIGHORN IN THE SNOW 72
VII. THE CLOWN OF THE PRAIRIES 84
VIII. THE BLACK BEAR--COMEDIAN 98
IX. ON WILD LIFE TRAILS 113
X. REBUILDING A BEAVER COLONY 126
XI. THE WARY WOLF 141
XII. WINTER WAYS OF ANIMALS 158
XIII. PRONGHORN OF THE PLAINS 175
XIV. THE MOUNTAIN LION 189
XV. FAMINE IN BEAVER-LAND 205
XVI. DOG-TOWN DIGGINGS 215
XVII. ECHO MOUNTAIN GRIZZLY 229

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN GOAT _Frontispiece_
FACING PAGE
GOAT-LAND 20
A WILD CAT 36
BEAR FEET 36
A BLACK BEAR 37
ANTELOPE 37
A BEAVER HOUSE AND WINTER FOOD SUPPLY 68
A BEAVER HOUSE IN THE FIRST SNOW 68
COYOTE--CLOWN OF THE PRAIRIES 69
A BEAVER CANAL 84
A NEW BEAVER DAM 84
THE MOUNTAIN LION 85
THE PRAIRIE DOG 116
THE CONY 116
LOOKING FOR SMALL FAVOURS 117
MOUNTAIN LION 132
BIGHORN MOUNTAIN SHEEP 133
A WILD LIFE TRAIL CENTRE 180
MY DEPARTING CALLER 181
JOHNNY, MY GRIZZLY CUB 196
ECHO MOUNTAIN GRIZZLY 197

WATCHED BY WILD ANIMALS