MOUNTAIN SHEEP NOTES 



1261 



But, while the mountain sheep dwells among and near 

 the cliffs, and knows how to utilize them to the utmost 

 in making a " masterly retreat," he rarely ventures on the 

 dizzy ledges that delight the soul of the mountain goat. 

 The mountain sheep can climb, boldly and well ; but, like 

 a sportsman who has passed his fiftieth year-post, he does 

 not care to climb high without good reason. 



The sheep killed by Mr. Phillips had been feeding 

 on bunch-grass, which grew abundantly on the side of 

 Cyclorama Ridge. Charles L. Smith says that sheep are 

 very fond of feeding on the " wild pea," or hedysarum 

 (H. Americanum) , the root of which is so acceptable to 

 the grizzly bear. 



The specimens of mountain sheep which we handled 

 so soon after our work on mountain goats, naturally sug- 

 gested comparisons between the two species. 



COMPARISON OF MOUNTAIN SHEEP, MOUNTAIN GOAT 

 AND MULE DEER 



Big-Horn 



Sheep. 



Adult Male. 



Mountain 



Goat.* 



Adult Male. 



Mule 

 Deer.t 

 Adult 

 Male. 



Height at shoulders, in inches 

 Length of head and body, in inches 

 Girth behind fore leg " 



" at middle of body " " 

 Weieht 



41 



69 



53 



57i 

 316 lbs. 



39 

 61 



53 



57 

 276 lbs. 



42 

 62 



45 



* The writer shot and measured an old goat that stood 42 inches high at 

 the shoulders, but it was so old, and so thin in flesh, it was not weighed, 

 t Shot by W. T. H. on Hell Creek, Montana, October 9, 1901. 



