THE EUROPEAN BISON 779 



There were, however, over 500 bison in Lithuania at that time,' for in 1820 there 

 were that number, this being a considerable increase since 1815, when there were 

 estimated to be only 300. About this time active measures must have been taken 

 for the protection of the Lithuanian herd, for in 1830 it comprised over 700 individ- 

 uals. In 1831 a local revolt occurred, the game laws were set at naught, and the 

 number of bison reduced to 637. Order having been restored, the bison began to 

 recuperate, and according to the official enumeration at the end of each decade, there 

 were in 1840, 780; 1850, 1,390; and in 1860, 1,700. Political troubles were, however, 

 the bane of the bison; and just as the prosperity of the Lithuanian herd seemed as- 

 sured, the Polish uprising of 1863 took place. Many bands of insurgents sought 

 refuge in the forests; the bison were left to take care of themselves, and were so rap- 

 idly killed off that the next official count showed only 847. For a short time after 

 peace was restored the herd increased to a slight extent, but later on it began to de- 

 crease, the enumeration of 1880 showing but 600, a number that has since been les- 

 sened, the herd being still on the wane." The herd is divided into about a dozen 

 distinct bands, inhabiting different regions of the forest. In the Caucasus the bison 

 is protected by the rugged nature of the country, as well as by special laws. Re- 

 cently an English sportsman Mr. Littledale has been bison shooting in the Cau- 

 casus, and a male and female which fell to his rifle are now exhibited in the British 

 Museum. 



The European bison, so far as can now be ascertained, appears to have always 

 associated in small bands. In Lithuania these bands comprise from fifteen to twenty 

 individuals during the summer, but in winter two or more of them unite to form a 

 herd of from thirty to forty head. The very old bulls are solitary. In spring and 

 summer the bison seek the thickest and deepest portions of the forest, but during 

 winter frequent drier and more elevated cover. Whereas the nutriment of the 

 American species consists wholly of grass, the European bison feeds largely upon 

 the leaves, twigs, and bark of trees. Although active during both day and night, 

 bison feed chiefly during the morning and evening. Large trees are stripped of 

 their foliage and bark as high up as the animals can reach, while smaller ones are 

 broken down or uprooted. 



In spite of their size and bulk, bison are active animals, and can both trot and 

 gallop with considerable speed. In galloping the head is carried close to the 

 ground, and the tail high in the air. Generally they are shy and retiring in dispo- 

 sition, more especially when young; but in the Lithuanian forest an old bull has 

 been known to take possession of a road and challenge all comers. During the breed- 

 ing season, which takes place in August or the early part of September, the bison 

 are in the best condition. At such seasons the bulls engage in terrific conflicts, 

 which occasionally end fatally, for the leadership of the herd. These combats are 

 at first entered upon somewhat playfully, but soon take place in earnest. The 

 old solitary bulls then return to the herds, and after having either driven away 

 or killed their younger rivals, once more resume the leadership. Not only are 

 the younger bulls sometimes killed in these conflicts, but the same fate occasionally 

 overtakes the cows. At the conclusion of the breeding season the old bulls revert 

 to their solitary life. The calves are born in May or the early part of June, and are 



