2o8 Sheep 



a. Southern Race — Ovis canadensis nelsoni 



Ovis nelsoni, Merriam, Proc. Soc. Washington, vol. xi. p. 218 

 (1897). 



Characters. — Somewhat interior in size to the typical, or Rocky 

 Mountain race, and much paler in colour, with the molar teeth decidedly 

 smaller. The general plan of coloration is stated to be very much the 

 same as in 0. canadensis stonei, but the pallor is even more marked when 

 compared with that form. The light caudal disk is small and com- 

 pletely divided in the middle by a dark line ; the tail is relatively 

 short and slender; and the cheek-teeth are unusuallv small. General 

 colour of upper-parts, except the caudal disk, pale dingy brown ; under- 

 parts much darker, and contrasting strongly with the white areas ; ab- 

 dominal region, together with a streak in the middle line, continued 

 forwards nearlv to the tore-lei^s, inner side of thighs, and hinder surface 

 of legs white. 



Dr. Merriam remarks that, compared with the north-western race, "The 

 contrast in colour is even more marked, but the pattern seems to be the 

 same, and the darkening of the under-parts is also a character of stonei.'' 

 No mention is made in the original description of the size and shape of the 

 horns, but from Mexican specimens that have come under my notice these 

 seem to be generally similar to those of stonei. 



Distribution. — Typically the Grapevine Mountains, on the boundary 

 between California and Nevada, a little south of t^j'' N. latitude, prob- 

 ably also including the semi-barren desert ranges of Mexico and the 

 Southern United States, from Texas to California. 



