Grizzly bears and black bears,[6] large grey wolves, the small coyote wolf, the pretty little kit fox and large red fox preyed on these herbivores, as did also pumas and lynxes.

Marmots and prairie hares (_Lepus campestris_)--often called rabbits by the pioneers, who also named the marmots "wood-chucks"-- frolicked in the herbage, and formed the principal prey of the numerous rattlesnakes.

By the shores of streams and lakes stood rows of stately cranes: the whooping crane, of large size, pure white, with black quill feathers, the crown of the head crimson scarlet and the long legs black; and the purple-brown crane, somewhat smaller in size.

On hot, calm days in the region of Lake Winnipeg the cranes soar to an amazing height, flying in circles, till by degrees they are almost out of sight.

Yet their loud note sounds so distinct and near that the spectator might fancy they were close to him.
[Footnote 4: _Mazama americana_, similar to, but quite distinct from, the larger mule deer of British Columbia.] [Footnote 5: The prongbuck (_Antilocapra americana_) is not a true antelope, though in outward appearance it resembles a large gazelle.
It was called "cabri" by the French Canadians.] [Footnote 6: "Bears make prodigious ravages in the brush and willows; the plum trees, and every tree that bears fruit share the same fate.
The tops of the oaks are also very roughly handled, broken, and torn down, to get the acorns.