CONTENTS. 13 



use iu stalking. Trophies and Tramping. Opinion of an old Hunter 

 on Goat-shooting. A successful Stalker's Faculties. Charging Goats. 

 The use of Dogs in hunting them Page 381 



CHAPTER XIV. 



THE BIG-HORN, OR MOUNTAIN SHEEP. 



The Big-horn, or Mountain Sheep. Its Haunts and Habits. Character- 

 istics required to Hunt it successfully. Its Caution and Vigilance. 

 Order of a Flock in Flight. Hunters' Tales of its Nimbleness. Pug- 

 nacity of the Males. Contest between a Wolf and a Big-horn. Size of 

 Rams. Measurement of Horns. The Rutting Season. Flocks of Old 

 Rams. Best Time for Hunting them. Stalking Exercise. A good 

 Rifle. Usefulness of a Field-glass. Indian "Sheep-eaters." Pemmi- 

 can. My First Hunt. A Kill. Stalk a Flock. Detected. The As- 

 sembly. Result of a Fusillade. Tedious Chase after an Old Ram. I 

 get Butted over. A tardy Capture. Flavor of wild Mutton Cutlets. 

 Dogs for Sheep-hunting. A Hunt in the War Eagle Mountains. Our 

 Success. A Cougar scared. "Dancing" Sheep. Big-horns waiting 

 for their Leader. Adventure of the Guide with a War-party of Indians. 

 Defeat of the Latter 394 



CHAPTER XV. 



FOXES. 



Foxes very Numerous in the West. Hunting-clubs. Various Species 

 and Varieties of Foxes. Difference between the American and the 

 European Red Fox. Size, Color, Characteristics, and Value of Fur of 

 the Prairie, Cross, Black, Silver, Swift, and Arctic Foxes. Difference 

 between the Red and the Gray Fox. The Latter trees, but rarely runs 

 to Earth. A true Woodland Animal. Its Food. Is being superseded 

 by the Red Species. The Dwarf or Island Fox. Lives on Insects. 

 Fearlessness and Numbers. Cause of its Diminutive Size. Value of 

 Fox-skins in Commerce. . . . . 418 



CHAPTER XVI. 



HARES. 



Hares. Their Abundance. The "Jack Rabbit. "Mark Twain's Opin- 

 ion of its Speed. Marvellous Tales of Pioneers. What constitutes an 

 Oregon Mule. Coursing - clubs. California Greyhounds. Character- 

 istics of the Water-hare. Swims like a Retriever. How it escapes its 

 Pursuers. The Swamp- hare. Its Peculiar Appearance. Measure- 

 ments. The Washington, Prairie, California, Wood, and Sage Hares, 

 and the Smaller Varieties. Peculiar Character of Baird's Rabbit. The 

 Males suckle the Young. Dissection by a Surgeon. How Indians and 

 Whites capture Hares 426 



