56 THE AMERICAN BISONS. 
natural, has been the subject of much romancing on the part of a few fanci- 
ful writers. Generally the cows with their calves are found towards the 
middle and on the front of the herds, the cows being at all times more 
watchful than the bulls, and also more active. The cows are hence the first 
to detect danger, and generally take the initiative in the movements of the 
herd. The younger animals of both sexes mingle with the cows, as do also 
to a greater or less extent the younger and middle-aged bulls. The older 
bulls are generally found nearer the outside of the herd, while last of all the 
old patriarchs of the flock bring up the rear. Some of the latter are often 
found far out on the outskirts, miles away from the main herd, occurring 
singly or in small parties of three or four to a dozen individuals. These are 
usually the superannuated members of the community, which lag behind 
from listlessness or sheer weakness. This simple grouping of the different 
individuals of the herds has given rise to exaggerated accounts of the 
sagacity of the buffalo, and much fine writing has at times been expended 
in describing the supposed regularity and almost military precision of their 
movements. The sluggish, partly disabled old males constitute the lordly 
sentinels of such tales, who are supposed to watch with fatherly care over 
the welfare of the flock, and to give early warning of the approach of 
danger. On the contrary, these supposed alert protectors are the most 
easily approached of any members of the flock, the experienced hunter find- 
ing no trouble in creeping past within a few yards of them in endeavoring 
to reach the more desirable game beyond them.* They are slower, too, to 
recognize danger when it is observed. The timidity and watchfulness of the - 
cows, accustomed as they are to the care of their offspring, lead them to 
take the initiative in the movements of the herd, and this, as already stated, 
keeps them near the front, especially when the herd is moving. The popular 
belief that the bulls keep the cows and the young in the middle of the herd, 
and form themselves, as it were, into a protecting phalanx, has some ap- 
parent basis; but the theory that the old bulls, the least watchful of all the 
members of the herd, are sentinels posted on the outskirts to give notice of 
any approaching enemy, is wholly a myth, as is also the supposition that the 
herds consist of small harems. 
The rutting season begins in July, but is not at its height till the following 
month. Rarely is more than a single calf produced at a birth. The period 
of pregnancy being about nine months, the calves are born from the begin- 
* See the chapter beyond devoted to an account of the different methods of hunting the buffalo. 
