CHAPTER XIII. 



THE BLACK TAILED DEER-THE PHONG-HORN OR AMERICAN ANTE- 

 LOPEROCKY MOUNTAIN GOAT ARGALI OR ROCKY MOUNTAIN 

 SHEEP-DESCRIPTION AND HABITS. 



THE BLACK-TAILED BEER (Cervus Macrons') is found only 

 near the Rocky Mountains and on the plains of Missouri, 

 preferring generally the prairies to the woods. It was first 

 noticed by Lewis and Clarke in their explorations ; they 

 inform us that it resembles its kindred species, except that it 

 does not run at full speed, but bounds along, raising every 

 foot from the ground at the same time. In this it may be 

 compared to the spring-bok of Africa. Its ears are very long, 

 extending half the length of the antler. 



THE AMERICAN ANTELOPE, or PRONG-HORN (Antdocapra 

 Americana), fleeter than the swiftest horse, roams through 

 the Rocky Mountains, keeping entirely to the open ground, 

 migrating in winter to Mexico and California. So swift is it 

 in its movements, and so acute is it in its sense of smell, that 

 man rarely approaches it ; and the celerity with which the 

 ground is passed over by it, resembles more closely the flight of 

 a bird, than the motion of a quadruped. 



The only reliable accounts we have of it are from Long's 

 Expedition, and Lewis and Clarke's observations, if we except 

 the following from Wilke's exploring expedition : " An antelope 

 was killed in Southern Oregon, near Rogue's River ; it was 

 of a dun and white colour, and its hair remarkably soft. The 

 Indians take this animal by exciting its curiosity ; for this 

 purpose they conceal themselves in a bush, near its hunting 

 grounds, and making a rustling noise, soon attract its atten- 

 tion, when it is led to advance towards the place of conceal- 



