The Mountain Sheep and its Range 



after them, but they would not tell where they 

 went; not far north of the Southern Pacific Rail- 

 road, I think. 



"In Lower California sheep are still common in 

 many places, but are largely confined to the east 

 side of the peninsula, mostly being found in the 

 low hills between the gulf and the main divide. A 

 few reach the top of San Pedro Martir — 12,000 

 feet — but I learn from the Indians they never 

 were common in the higher ranges. The piiion 

 belt and below seem to be their habitat, and in very 

 dry, barren ranges. I have known a few to reach 

 the Pacific, between 28 deg. n. lat. and 30 deg. n. 

 lat. ; but they never seem at home on the western 

 side of the peninsula. 



■'Owing to their habitat, few whites care to 

 bother them — it costs too much in cash, and more 

 in bodily discomfort; but the natives kill them at 

 all seasons; not enough, however, to threaten ex- 

 termination unless they receive help from the 

 north. 



"I have no knowledge of any scab, or other dis- 

 ease, affecting the sheep, either in southern or 

 Lower California." 



For northern California, records of sheep are 

 few. Dr. Merriam, Chief of the Biological 

 Survey, tells me that sheep formerly occurred on 



345 



