240 RUMINANTIA. 



sippi, but ranges as far South as California and New Mexico, 

 feeding on moss, buds, &c. 



It is shortly, but more compactly built than the Virginia 

 Deer, but in its elegant and stately form, resembles more the 

 Antelope than the Deer family. The horns of the male are curved 

 upwards and backwards, with a short triangular prong about 

 the centre. In winter a ridge of coarse hairs, resembling a 

 short mane, appears on the back of the neck, of which, in sum- 

 mer, only a black stripe remains, the color is a reddish dun, 

 with the throat and the clink on the hinder parts white. The 

 head, ears and legs are covered with short close hair of the com- 

 mon description, but that of the body is long and padded, and of 

 a texture altogether different from that of other animals ; it being 

 hollow like the feather of a bird, brittle, and when bent, not 

 returning to the original straight form. The animals are grega- 

 rious, sometimes several hundreds being found together, and 

 they migrate from North to South according to the season. 

 When the ground is clear, their speed surpasses that of most 

 other animals, but a good horse easily outstrips them after a 

 slight fall of snow. They are sly, but extremely curious ; and 

 the Indians, and even the wolves, it is said, know how to take 

 advantage of their curiosity to get within reach of them, by 

 crouching down and moving forwards, or stopping, alternately. 

 These Antelopes will wheel round and round the object of their 

 attention, decreasing the distance at every turn, till at last they 

 approach sufficiently near to be shot or captured. Sometimes 

 they are caught in pens, v in nearly the same manner as the 

 bison ; but in the deep snow of winter, when they are suffering 

 for want of food, they are generally dispatched with clubs, 

 Audubon says, "principally by the women." They are fattest 

 in autumn. "Their liver is much prized as a delicacy, and we 

 have heard that many of these animals a-re killed simply to pro- 

 cure this choice morsel." (Anderson.) Their flesh, however, 

 is not highly esteemed by the Indians, who hunt them only in 

 times of scarcity. 



II. GROUP. ANTELOPES OF THE % DESERT. 



A. Gnu. The GNOO, or HORNED- HORSE. 



This equine Antelope is sometimes called Catoblepas, (Gr. 

 xaTafiMnMv, Katabtepon, looking down.) a name well expressive 

 of its sinister aspect, shaded as its face is by overgrown horns, 

 bent down and outwards, on the sides, broad at the base, and bent 

 up at the tip. (Plate VII. fig. 23.) It has a wide and bristly nose, 



