Wild Animals at Home

by Ernest Thompson Seton

  One of my guides described a lively scene in which the Bear, in spite of blazing brands, ran into the cook's quarters and secured a ham. The cook pursued with a stick of firewood. At each whack the Bear let off a "whoof" but he did not drop the ham, and the party had to return to Fort Yellowstone for supplies.

  Incidents of this kind multiplied, and finally Buffalo Jones, who was then the Chief Scout of the Park, was permitted to punish the old sinner. Mounted on his trained saddle-horse, swinging the lasso that has caught so many different kinds of beasts in so many different lands, the Colonel gave chase. Old Grizzly dodged among the pines for a while, but the pony was good to follow; and when the culprit took to open ground, the unerring lasso whistled in the air and seized him by the hind paw. It takes a good rope to stand the jerk of half a ton of savage muscle, but the rope was strong; it stood, and there was some pretty manœuvring, after which the lasso was found over a high branch, with a couple of horses on the "Jones end" and they hauled the Bear aloft where, through the medium of a stout club, he received a drubbing that has become famous in the moving-picture world.

  Another of these big, spoiled babies was sent to Washington Zoo, where he is now doing duty as an exhibition Grizzly.

  The comedy element is far from lacking in this life; in fact, it is probably the dominant one. But the most grotesque story of all was told me by a friend who chummed with the Bears about ten years ago.

  One day, it seems, a Blackbear more tame than usual went right into the bar-room of one of the hotels. The timid floating population moved out; the bar-keep was cornered, but somewhat protected by his bar; and when the Bear reared up with both paws on the mahogany, the wily "dispenser" pushed a glass of beer across, saying nervously, "Is that what you are after?"

  The Bear liked the smell of the offering, and, stooping down, lapped up the whole glassful, and what was spilt he carefully licked up afterward, to the unmeasured joy of the loafers who peeped in at doors and windows, and jeered at the bar-keep and his new customer.

  "Say, bar-keep, who's to pay?" "Don't you draw any color line?" "If I come in a fur coat, will you treat me?" "No! you got to scare him to drink free," etc., etc., were examples of their remarks.

  Whatever that Bear came for, she seemed satisfied with what she got, for she went off peaceably to the woods, and was seen later lying asleep under a tree. Next day, however, she was back again. The scene in the bar-room was repeated with less intensity.

  On the third and fourth days she came as before, but on the fifth day she seemed to want something else. Prompted by a kindred feeling, one of the loafers suggested that "She wants another round." His guess was right, and having got it, that abandoned old Bear began to reel, but she was quite good-natured about it, and at length lay down under a table, where her loud snores proclaimed to all that she was asleep—beastly drunk, and asleep—just like one of the lords of creation.

  From that time on she became a habitual frequenter of the bar-room. Her potations were increased each month. There was a time when one glass of beer made her happy, but now it takes three or four, and sometimes even a little drop of something stronger. But whatever it is, it has the desired effect, and "Swizzling Jinnie" lurches over to the table, under which she sprawls at length, and tuning up her nasophone she sleeps aloud, and unpeacefully, demonstrating to all the world that after all a "Bear is jest a kind o' a man in a fur coat." Who can doubt it that reads this tale, for it is true; at least it was told me for the truth, by no less an authority than one of Jennie's intimate associates at the bar-room.

  THE GRIZZLY AND THE CAN

  When one remembers the Grizzly Bear as the monarch of the mountains, the king of the plains, and the one of matchless might and unquestioned sway among the wild things of the West, it gives one a shock to think of him being conquered and cowed by a little tin can. Yet he was, and this is how it came about.

  A grand old Grizzly, that was among the summer retinue of a Park hotel, was working with two claws to get out the very last morsel of some exceptionally delicious canned stuff. The can was extra strong, its ragged edges were turned in, and presently both toes of the Bear were wedged firmly in the clutch of that impossible, horrid little tin trap. The monster shook his paw, and battered the enemy, but it was as sharp within as it was smooth without, and it gripped his paw with the fell clutch of a disease. His toes began to swell with all this effort and violence, till they filled the inner space completely. The trouble was made worse and the paw became painfully inflamed.

  All day long that old Grizzly was heard clumping around with that dreadful little tin pot wedged on his foot. Sometimes there was a loud succession of clamp, clamp, clamp's which told that the enraged monarch with canned toes was venting his rage on some of the neighbouring Blackbears.

  The next day and the next that shiny tin maintained its frightful grip on the Grizzly, who, limping noisily around, was known and recognized as "Can-foot." His comings and goings to and from the garbage heap, by day and by night, were plainly announced to all by the clamp, clamp, clamp of that maddening, galling tin. Some weeks went by and still the implacable meat box held on.

  The officer in charge of the Park came riding by one day; he heard the strange tale of trouble, and saw with his own eyes the limping Grizzly, with his muzzled foot. At a wave of his hand two of the trusty scouts of the Park patrol set out with their ponies and whistling lassoes on the strangest errand that they, or any of their kind, had ever known. In a few minutes those wonderful raw-hide ropes had seized him and the monarch of the mountains was a prisoner bound. Strong shears were at hand. That vicious little can was ripped open. It was completely filled now with the swollen toes. The surgeon dressed the wounds, and the Grizzly was set free. His first blind animal impulse was to attack his seeming tormenters, but they were wise and the ponies were bear-broken; they easily avoided the charge, and he hastened to the woods to recover, finally, both his health and his good temper, and continue about the Park, the only full-grown Grizzly Bear, probably, that man ever captured to help in time of trouble, and then set loose again to live his life in peace.

  XLV. The Bears at feeding time

  Photos by F. Jay Haynes

  XLVI. (a) Tom Newcomb pointing out the bear's mark.

  Photo by E. T. Seton

  (b) E. T. Seton feeding a Bear.

  Photo by C. B. Harmon

  Appendix

  Mammals of the Yellowstone Park

  A list of the Species Found in the Park in 1912

  By Ernest Thompson Seton

  With assistance from the U. S. Biological Survey,

  and Colonel L. M. Brett, in charge of the Park.

  Elk or Wapiti (Cervus canadensis)

  Abundant. By actual official count, and estimate of stray bands, they number at least 35,000, of which about 5,000 winter in the Park.

  Mule Deer or Rocky Mt. Blacktail (Odocoileus heminus)

  Common. The official census gives their number at 400, of which at least 100 winter about Fort Yellowstone.

  Whitetail Deer (Odocoileus virginianus macrourus)

  A few found about Gardiner, on Willow Creek, on Indian Creek, at Crevasse Mt. and in Cottonwood Basin. The official census gives their number at 100.

  Moose (Alces americanus)

  Formerly rare, now abundant in all the southerly third of the Park. In 1897 they were estimated at 50. The official census gives their number at 550 in 1912.

  Antelope or Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana)

  Formerly abundant, now rare; found only in broad open places such as Lamar Valley, etc. Their numbers have shrunk from many thousands in the '70's to about 1,500 in 1897, and 500 in 1912.

  Mountain Sheep or Bighorn (Ovis canadensis)

  Formerly rare, now common about Mt. Evarts, Mt. Washburn and the western boundary. In 1897 there were about 100, perhaps only 75; in 1912 they are reported numbering 210 by actual count.

  American Buffalo or Bison (Bison bison)

  Steadily increasing. In 1897 th
ere were about 30; they now number 199 by actual count. These are in two herds, of 49 wild, and 150 in the fenced corrals.

  Richardson Red-squirrel (Sciurus hudsonicus richardsoni)

  Abundant in all pine woods.

  Northern Chipmunk (Eutamias quadrivittatus luteiventris)

  Extremely abundant everywhere.

  Least Chipmunk (Eutamias minimus pictus)

  Common about Mammoth Hot Springs.

  Golden Ground-squirrel (Citellus lateralis cinerascens)

  Common.

  Picket-pin Ground-squirrel (Citellus armatus)

  Abundant on all level prairies.

  Prairie-dog (Cynomys ludovicianus)

  Gen. Geo. S. Anderson told me long ago that the Prairie-dogs, so abundant on the Lower Yellowstone, were sometimes seen as far up as the Park at Gardiner.

  XLVII. Johnnie Bear: his sins and his troubles

  Sketches by E. T. Seton

  XLVIII. Johnnie happy at last

  Photo by Miss L. Griscom

  Yellow Woodchuck, Rock Chuck or Marmot (Marmota flaviventer)

  Abundant on all mountains.

  Rocky Mt. Flying Squirrel (Sciuropterus alpinus)

  Said to be found. I did not see one.

  Beaver (Castor canadensis)

  Abundant and increasing.

  Grasshopper Mouse (Onychomys leucogaster)

  I found a typical colony of this species on the Yellowstone near Yancey's but did not secure any.

  Mountain Deer-mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus artemisiae)

  Abundant everywhere.

  Mountain Rat, Pack-rat or Wood-rat (Neotoma cinerea)

  Said to be found, but I saw none.

  Redbacked Vole or Field-mouse (Evotomys gapperi galei)

  Not taken yet in the Park but found in all the surrounding country, therefore, probable.

  Common Field-mouse (Microtus pennsylvannicus modestus)

  Recorded by Vernon Bailey from Lower Geyser Basin in the Park.

  Long-tailed Vole (Microtus mordax)

  Vernon Bailey records this from various surrounding localities, also from Tower Falls. Doubtless it is generally distributed. This is the bobtailed, short-eared, dark gray mouse that is found making runs in the thick grass, especially in low places.

  Big-footed Vole (Microtus richardsoni macropus)

  Not yet taken in the Park, but found in surrounding mountains, therefore probable.

  Muskrat (Fiber zibethicus osoyoosensis)

  Common and of general distribution.

  Mole-gopher or Gray Gopher (Thomomys talpoides)

  A Gopher of some kind abounds in the Park. I assume it to be this.

  Rocky Mt. Jumping Mouse (Zapus princeps)

  Found in all the surrounding country, and recorded by E. A. Preble from near Yellowstone Lake.

  Yellow-haired Porcupine (Erethizon epixanthus)

  Somewhat common in the pine woods on the Continental Divide.

  Coney, Rock Rabbit, Pika, or Calling Hare (Ochotona princeps)

  Abundant in all slide rock.

  Rocky Mt. Cottontail (Sylvilagus nuttalli grangeri)

  Plentiful about Gardiner and in some of the lower regions of the Park, but not general.

  Snowshoe Rabbit (Lepus bairdi)

  Common and generally distributed.

  White-tailed Jack Rabbit (Lepus campestris)

  Common and generally distributed.

  Mountain Lion, Cougar or Puma (Felis hippolestes)

  In 1897 it was considered extremely rare; probably not more than a dozen were then living in the Park; since then it seems to have increased greatly and is now somewhat common in the mountainous parts. Their numbers are given officially at 100 in 1912.

  Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis)

  Common.

  Bobcat or Mountain-cat (Lynx uinta)

  Somewhat common.

  The Big-tailed Fox (Vulpes macrourus)

  Common.

  Timber Wolf (Canis occidentalis)

  Very rare, noticed only at Hell Roaring Creek and Slough Creek. On August 25, 1912, Lieut. M. Murray saw two in a meadow two miles southeast of Snow Shoe Cabin on Slough Creek. They were plainly seen in broad daylight; and were nearly white.

  Coyote (Canis latrans)

  Abundant everywhere, although officially reckoned they numbered only 400 in 1912.

  Otter (Lutra canadensis)

  Common, particularly around the Lake and the Canyon.

  Mink (Lutreola vison energumenos)

  Common.

  Long-tailed Weasel (Putorius longicauda)

  Said to be found. I did not see any.

  Short-tailed Weasel (Putorius cicognanii)

  Included because its range includes the Park.

  Marten (Mustela caurina)

  Found throughout the Park, but not common.

  Pekan or Fisher (Mustela pennanti)

  Rare. Gen. G. S. Anderson tells me that in the early '90's he took the skin of one from a poacher.

  Wolverine (Gulo luscus)

  Of general distribution, but not common.

  Northern Skunk (Mephitis hudsonica)

  Rare, but found at Mammoth Hot Springs and Yancey's.

  Badger (Taxidea taxus)

  Common.

  Raccoon or Coon (Procyon lotor)

  Said to occur. Fifteen years ago at Gardiner I was shown one that was said to have been taken in the Park, but it was not certain.

  Grizzly Bear (Ursus horribilis)

  Common. The official count gives 50 in 1912.

  Blackbear (Ursus americanus)

  Abundant and increasing. The official count gives 100 in 1912.

  Common or Masked Shrew (Sorex personatus)

  Never taken, but included because its known range surrounds the Park.

  Marsh Shrew or Water Shrew (Neosorex palustris)

  Probably occurs there, since its known range surrounds the Park.

  Long-eared Bat (Corynorhinus macrotis pallescens)

  A few were seen in the Devil's Kitchen, Mammoth Hot Springs, and one sent to the Biological Survey for identification. This is the only Bat taken, but the following are likely to be found, as their known range surrounds the Park:

  Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus)

  Silver-haired Bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans)

  Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus)

  Great Hoary Bat (Nycteris cinereus)

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  Ernest Thompson Seton

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