THE BIG-HORN SHEEP 



157 



as well as the old, then the nursing ewes and their lambs rejoin the band, 

 some time in July. The band now keeps in the neighborhood of water and 

 where the feed is good comparatively good, at least, for the scanty 

 pasturage that grows on the mountains and barren hills haunted by the 

 sheep would hardly please more luxury-loving animals. The flocks of 

 ewes and lambs are at this time quite easily discovered, but of course no 

 man but a game butcher would dream of molesting them. In September 

 the young rams begin to join them, and soon afterwards the old patriarchs 

 likewise come down from their remote fastnesses. 



The rams now fight desperately among themselves for the possession 

 of the ewes, rushing together with a shock that would shatter their skulls 

 were they less strong; while the battered horns, with splintered ends, 

 bear witness to the violence of the contests. These contests are free from 

 one danger, however; the horns do not get interlocked, and thus cause 

 the death of both combatants. This is not only a common accident 

 among deer and elk, but it even happens to antelope ; I knew of one 

 instance where two prong-horn bucks, who had evidently been battling 

 for a doe, were found dead, side by side, partly eaten by the coyotes. 

 The right horn of one and the left horn of the other had become locked 

 together so firmly, thanks to the prong and the hook at the end, that they 

 could not be drawn apart, and the two beasts had died miserably in con- 

 sequence. Each herd has some acknowledged master ram, but he may 

 tolerate the presence of three or four others of lesser degree, together 

 with the ewes, lambs, and yearlings that go to make up the rest of the 

 flock ; or else, if a cross old fellow, the master ram may turn out all the 

 others, or may content himself with a little bunch of merely three or four 

 ewes. So that even at this season several young rams may be found by 

 themselves ; or a morose old veteran, time-worn and battle-scarred, may 

 keep entirely alone. As soon as the rutting season is over many of these 

 exiles rejoin the band ; and at this time, when the rams are of course in 

 very poor condition, they are all apt to come down on the levels more 

 boldly than at any other season, to get at the good grass, although even 

 now rarely venturing very far from the hills. While thus on the edges 

 of the plains, their natural wariness seems to increase tenfold. 



But at all times their habits are very variable ; for they are restless, 

 wandering beasts, with something whimsical in their tempers, and given 

 at times to queer freaks. If the fit seize them, and especially if they have 

 been alarmed or annoyed, they may at any time leave their accustomed 

 dwelling-places, or act in a manner absolutely contrary to their usual 

 conduct. About noon one hot midsummer day, three great rams crossed 



