NATURAL AREAS AND REGIONS 



555 



at home here. Spiders are especially 

 abundant. 



5. Sagebrush Association. The most 

 conspicuous bird characteristic of the 

 sagebrush of this state is the sage hen, 

 which was numerous here until a few 

 years ago. It is being exterminated 

 rapidly. 



The most notable insect is the large 

 black and white sage-moth, which is 

 very conspicuous for a few days in July 

 or August. The larvae feed upon sage 

 leaves. 



6. Badlands. The badlands, because 

 of their relative inaccessibility, are the 

 home of several carnivores. Gray 

 wolves and coyotes are more frequently 

 met here than elsewhere. Bobcats are 

 plentiful. The puma or mountain lion 

 was formerly not rare. A few antelope 

 still feed on some of the "flats." Big- 

 horn sheep, and mule deer formerly were 

 common and the bighorn may not yet 

 be extinct in the White River Bad Lands. 

 The mammals now most frequently seen 

 in badlands are the striped chipmunk 

 and cottontail rabbit. The porcupine, 

 of nocturnal habit, is also found here. 

 The chief birds are the rock wren, Say's 

 phoebe, cliff swallow, violet-green swal- 

 low, western lark sparrow, turkey 

 vulture, and prairie falcon. Rattle- 

 snakes are not lacking, though far from 

 common. The horned-lizards ("toads") 

 are seen occasionally. 



The animals are grayish in color with 

 the exception of the bats, swallows and 

 swifts. The crevices and cavelets fur- 

 nish homes for the chipmunk, bat, bob- 

 cat, Say's phoebe, prairie falcon, and 

 rock wren. The cliff swallow and white- 

 throated swift find cliffs suitable for 

 nesting sites. Several of the larger 

 mammals, notably the bighorn sheep 

 and mule or black-tailed deer, are power- 

 ful jumpers. 



IV. NATURAL AREAS 



All areas save one "The Dells," noted 

 south of a line from Brookings, South 

 Dakota to Pierre, South Dakota, have 

 been found to be either too artificial 

 (e.g., dams), or too highly modified 



from the original state (deforested) to 

 be considered in this work. 



* Wind Cave National Park. In the 

 Black Hills, the "scene of Ouster's first 

 stand, famous for many years for Indian 

 fights and frontier lawlessness." "It is 

 called Wind Cave because of the strong 

 currents of air which alternate in and out 

 of its mouth. The park is also a game 

 preserve of unusual merit" (From Na- 

 tional Parks Portfolio). The strata in 

 which the cave occurs are known as 

 Pahasapa limestone. 10,899 acres; 3700 

 to 4000 ft. 4160 acres set aside for a bison 

 preserve, which encloses deer, elk and 

 antelope. 



Hot Springs, 12 mi. by bus. E. J. P. 

 References: 



Wind Cave National Park Rules and 

 Regulations, Supt. Documents, 

 Govt. Printing Office. 



South Dakota School of Mines, Book of 

 Views, 1920. The Pahasapa Quar- 

 terly, June, 1921. 



* Crystal Cave. Within the northeast 

 side of the Black Hills National Forest, 

 halfway between Roubaix and Tilford; 

 a most interesting and beautiful spot. 

 This cave differs greatly in formation, 

 crystals etc. from Wind Cave. It is to be 

 reached by road from Piedmont, on the 

 Chicago and Northwestern Railroad, 

 lying about 10 mi. northwest of this city, 

 along north side of Elk Creek. 

 Reference: 



Pahasapa Quarterly, June, 1921. 



* Prairie and Partly Level Plain. In 

 the United States grazing experiment 

 tract, leased for 10 years. About 400 

 acres near southern edge of Fall River 

 county, South Dakota; partly level 

 plain and prairie. Slightly changed by 

 grazing. Plants characteristic of sur- 

 rounding areas, showing a few succes- 

 sions. The fauna includes prairie-dog 

 and coyote. Elevation 3565 ft. ; slightly 

 undulating. 



ArdmoreJ, 21 mi. N.W., C. B. & Q. 

 R. R.; about 30 mi. S. of Hot Springs, 

 S. D. E. J. P. 



Black Hills National Forest. See U. S. 

 Geol. Surv., 19th Rept. Vol. 5, p. 67, 

 1898. 



