THE BIG-HORN, OR MOUNTAIN SHEEP. 401 



three hundred pounds. The females are somewhat smaller 

 than the rains; and their appendages, though lacking in 

 massiveness, are well formed and graceful, and do not give 

 the head the stunted appearance of the males. The face, 

 which is narrow, is thoroughly ovine- in appearance; the 

 eyes are large and full, and are intended for breadth as 

 much as intensity of vision ; the legs, which are long and 

 tapering, yet sinewy, are evidently intended for both leap- 

 ing and running ; and the body, when in good condition, is 

 round rather than deep ; and this gives the animal a grace- 

 ful, active, and vigorous aspect. 



The running season, which commences in the early part 

 of December, does not last very long ; and though contests 

 between the males are often waged then, yet they seldom 

 prove serious, for one, on finding that it is worsted, yields 

 the field at once to the sturdier rival, and seeks elsewhere 

 for a mate. The selection of companions is not so easy a 

 matter as it is among the domestic species, and the weaker 

 members have often to pay dearly for the affection they 

 have won. When the running season is over the old rams 

 congregate together in bands of from eight to thirty, while 

 the younger keep with the lambs and females, and act as 

 their escorts and guardians. 



The lambs are dropped in May or early in June, accord- 

 ing to the climate of the country, among the lower foot- 

 hills; but as soon as they are able to travel, which is gen- 

 erally at the end of two weeks, the mothers commence 

 working gradually upward, according as the atmosphere 

 becomes warmer and the vegetation more abundant, until 

 they reach the snow-line ; and there they remain for some 

 time, feasting on the small and succulent herbage that 

 sprouts wherever it can raise its head. They tarry there 

 until the lambs are able to move briskly about and take 

 care of themselves, if necessary; then they scour the hills 

 in every direction, going wherever fancy leads them, and 

 revelling in the fredom and delights of their mountain 

 home. The lambs are old enough to make delicious mut- 

 ton, and to furnish excellent hunting at the end of three 



