native Indians. We can hardly blame the early white set- 
tlers for killing black bears on sight, for they were always 
fond of pigs and sheep, the only animals slow enough for 
them to capture, and in many cases the loss of a few of 
these farm animals seriously depleted the winter food 
supply for the pioneer family. This enmity, justified in 
early days, has now little excuse for continuance, and the 
bears can be welcomed back to wilderness areas where 
wild foods are available. 
Mountain lions and big wolves will never be brought 
back into settled areas, since their ravages were too serious 
to be endured, but a few can be left in extensive wilderness 
regions where abundance of large game species will af- 
ford the heavy meat supply necessary for their sub- 
sistence. There is, however, always a feeling of conflict 
between our human epicures and these wild meat eaters 
that may some day reach a climax, but while the supply 
is ample for both we need not worry. These animals 
are easily controlled and we need only decide on how 
many we want, and where and how they are to be main- 
tained. 
Coyotes, the little wolves, are still with us over prac- 
tically their whole native range, and more, for they are 
spreading eastward and northward far beyond their orig- 
inal bounds. Their intelligence, cunning and adaptability 
are almost uncanny, as they meet every device and lure 
of the trappers with perfect understanding and disregard. 
Those outwitted by trappers are mostly the young of the 
year and the less keen of the family. Almost invariably 
A BOBCAT THAT DIDN'T LEARN 
Once was not enough for this California bobcat. Re- 
leased uninjured, he returned the next night and 
stepped into the same trap again 
 
NOTHING HURT BUT HIS PRIDE 
Apparently much ashamed of himself, this gray fox 
was found fast in a Verbail trap. He was re- 
leased, uninjured, the same day 
some of the more cautious grow up to defy the trappers 
and perpetuate the species. 
They are fond of mutton and any small domestic stock, 
of poultry, game birds, rabbits, rodents, birds, eggs, rep- 
tiles, fishes, fruits, nuts, grain and even insects. With 
such a range of food habits they readily adapt themselves 
to varied types of country and climate from the Tropics 
to the Arctic, and thrive where the less versatile carnivores 
have disappeared. They offer a real problem, for in some 
types of farm country they are highly useful to man in 
controlling his greatest enemies, the rodents. In other ex- 
tensive desert areas they are neutral and rarely in reach 
of man-made industries, and again, in game-filled forest 
areas and rich grazing grounds, they may cause heavy 
losses of valuable game and livestock. To condemn 
them wholly is ignorant and unwise; to protect them 
wholly would be fatally destructive to the property 
of thousands of people. To tell the truth about them, 
to regulate their control and to point out the simplest, 
most intelligent and most humane methods of bring- 
ing it about, should be the work of those who have 
given the most time and study to the lives of our 
native animals. 
Most of the carnivores, large and small, have more or 
less valuable fur coats that yield ample reward for their 
capture, and these have driven well nigh to extinction 
several of the more valuable species. Even coyotes and 
foxes, the most prolific and elusive of the fur bearers, are 
generally of sufficient value to cover the cost of keeping 
 
NATURE MAGAZINE