74 NOKTH AMERICAN FAUNA [No. 55 



mate made by Jewett as amply covering the number of 1,500 in this 

 herd. 



In 1924 Jewett estimated approximately 2,000 anterlope in Oregon, 

 all in the extreme arid southeastern quarter of the State. Nelson, in 

 1925, estimated from the latent reports, 2,039 antelope in southeastern 

 Oregon and considered them as unquestionably increasing (1925 

 p. 47). On the writer's hurried trip over eastern Oregon in Decem- 

 ber 1930, the antelope were reported as showing a slight increase, 

 attributed to the decrease in numbers of predatory animals. In 1931 

 Jewett estimated not less than 5,000 antelope in the State, mostly in 

 Lake, Malheur, and Harney Counties. 



The Forest Service game reports for 1932 gave an estimate of 150 

 antelope on the Deschutes National Forest, 75 on the Fremont, and 

 30 on the Malheur. 



Several attempts to create an antelope refuge in Guano Valley 

 have failed through opposition of local sheepmen, who have even 

 been accused of destroying the antelope to save the forage and water 

 for their flocks. In 1928 a small sanctuary was obtained by the 

 National Audubon Society for the protection of antelope in north- 

 western Nevada (pis. 18, 19) close to the Oregon line where many of 

 the Guano Valley antelope come in winter after the local herds have 

 moved farther south, showing the truly migratory habits of the 

 species. This refuge, now appropriately called the Charles Sheldon 

 Wildlife Eef uge, has done much to save the Oregon herd, and a recent 

 Executive order extending the refuge area north across the Oregon 

 line through Guano Valley to include Hart Mountain should insure 

 the perpetuation of the antelope in eastern Oregon. 



General habits. These graceful animals, like the swallows among 

 birds, have been always the wonder and admiration of naturalists 

 and sportsmen. They are unique in shedding and renewing each 

 year the hollow horns and are remarkable also for the wonderful 

 flashlight display of the great white rosette of long hairs over the 

 rump, which are raised at will until it is the most conspicuous ob- 

 ject in the landscape, or closed down until scarcely noticeable at a 

 distance. In the very young, these white hairs of the rump are 

 concealed by a thin layer of fine, brown hairs, which apparently 

 disappear within a few weeks when the young are able to escape 

 enemies by running with the mother. Few animals afford such 

 wonderful contrasts in directive and protective coloration, or such 

 perfect adaptation to the open country. 



They are primarily animals of the open, depending for protection 

 on remarkable vision and speed. The prominent eyes on opposite 

 sides of the head look forward and backward apparently catching 

 the slightest motion on the whole horizon. On occasion the animals 

 penetrate open forest country, usually to pass from one valley to 

 another, but they are rarely surprised near any cover. An inordinate 

 curiosity regarding any object or motion which they do not under- 

 stand often leads to their destruction, but usually they are so wary 

 and swift that until long-range rifles came into general use they 

 were fairly safe from most of their enemies. 



In habits they are more or less migratory or roving, often leav- 

 ing one valley for another which affords better protection or forage 

 and in winter seeking the warm valleys and in summer the higher 



