142 Deer and Antelope of North America 



their neck and shoulders is so thick and tough 

 that the great prongs cannot get through or do 

 more than inflict bruises. The only danger comes 

 when the beaten party turns to flee. The victor 

 pursues at full speed. Usually the beaten one 

 gets off ; but if by any accident he is caught where 

 he cannot escape, he is very apt to be gored in the 

 flank and killed. Mr. Baillie-Grohman has given 

 a very interesting description of one such fatal 

 duel of which he was an eye-witness on a moon- 

 light night in the mountains. I have never 

 known of the bull trying to protect the cow from 

 any enemy. He battles for her against rivals with 

 intense ferocity ; but his attitude toward her, once 

 she is gained, is either that of brutality or of in- 

 difference. She will fight for her calf against any 

 enemy which she thinks she has a chance of con- 

 quering, although of course not against man. But 

 the bull leaves his family to their fate the minute 

 he thinks there is any real danger. During the 

 rut he is greatly excited, and does not fear a dog 

 or a single wolf, and may join with the rest of the 

 herd of both sexes in trying to chase off one or 

 the other, should he become aware of its approach. 

 But if there is serious danger, his only thought is 

 for himself, and he has no compunctions about 

 sacrificing any of his family. When on the move 

 a cow almost always goes first, while the bull 

 brings up the rear. 



