CHAPTER IV 



HUNTING IN THE CATTLE COUNTRY; THE PRONGBUCK 



THE prongbuck is the most characteristic and distinc- 

 tive of American game animals. Zoologically speaking, 

 its position is unique. It is the only hollow-horned 

 ruminant which sheds its horns, or rather the horn 

 sheaths. We speak of it as an antelope, and it does of 

 course represent on our prairies the antelopes of the Old 

 World; but it stands apart from all other horned animals. 

 Its place in the natural world is almost as lonely as that 

 of the giraffe. In all its ways and habits it differs as much 

 from deer and elk as from goat and sheep. Now that the 

 buffalo has gone, it is the only game really at home on the 

 wide plains. It is a striking-looking little creature, with 

 its prominent eyes, single-pronged horns, and the sharply 

 contrasted white, brown and reddish of its coat. The 

 brittle hair is stiff, coarse and springy; on the rump it is 

 brilliantly white, and is erected when the animal is 

 alarmed or excited, so as to be very conspicuous. In 

 marked contrast to deer, antelope never seek to elude ob- 

 servation; all they care for is to be able themselves to see. 

 As they have good noses and wonderful eyes, and as they 

 live by preference where there is little or no cover, shots 

 at them are usually obtained at far longer range than is 

 the case with other game; and yet, as they are easily seen, 



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