132 The Bison 



contest usually ends in nothing more important 

 than the driving off, for a time, of the weaker 

 bull. From their great activity at this season, 

 the bulls rapidly lose flesh ; but after the rut is 

 over, they regain it, so that by the beginning 

 of the cold weather they, like the cows, are fat 

 and in good order. 



The buffalo cow produces, usually, a single 

 calf, which may be born during the months of 

 March, April, May, or June. The usual time 

 for the calves to be born is in April and May. 

 Shortly before that time the mother separates 

 herself from the herd, which, however, she rejoins 

 not long after the birth of the calf. Like many 

 other ruminants, the mother hides her calf when 

 it is small and weak, but does not wander far from 

 it. After it has gained some strength it joins 

 other calves, and these usually keep together a 

 little apart from the main herd, their mothers 

 coming to them from time to time in order that 

 they may nurse. 



When first born, the calves are reddish yellow 

 in color, do not possess any noticeable hump, and 

 look very much like ordinary domestic calves, 

 except that possibly the tail is slightly shorter. 

 Before very long, however, they commence to 



