FAUNA ARIERICANA. 257 



" The information I am able to furnish, was ob- 

 tained on the late expedition to the sources of St 

 Peter's river, &c. and was procured principally 

 from Donald M'Kinzie, Esq. (of the family of Sir 

 Alexander M'Kinzie,) stationed at the junction of 

 the Assiniboin and Red rivers, in the capacity of 

 chief factor for the Hon. H. B. Company on that 

 station ; the intelligence furnished by this gentle- 

 man was from personal observation. 



"The Rocky Mountain sheep inhabit the ele- 

 vated region comprised in that portion of the 

 mountain range from which its name is derived, 

 situate between the forty-eighth and sixtieth pa- 

 rallels of north latitude.* They are found in great 

 numbers near the head waters of the north fork 

 of Columbia river, where their flesh constitutes 

 the principal food of the natives. The country at 

 the sources of Muddy river, (Marais river of Lewis 

 and Clark,) Saskatchawin and Athabaska rivers 

 are also inhabited by them ; but they are said to be 

 less numerous on the eastern slope of the Rocky 

 Mountains than upon the western ; they are sel- 

 dom or never seen at a distance from the moun- 

 tains, the climate and productions of which appear 

 best adapted to their nature and mode of life. In 

 summer they resort to the peaks and ridges in 

 quest of pasture, but retire to the valleys in win- 



* Lewis and Clarke observed this animal as low as forty-five 

 degrees of north latitude. Vid. Exped. up the Missouri, vol. ii, 

 pp. 35, 49. 



3.3 



