THE BIG-HORN 209 



almost black. This sub-Arctic sheep is found " through- 

 out the mountains from the headwaters of the Peace 

 and Frazer rivers as far as the source of the Pelley 

 River," Both the white and black big-horns range 

 above the timber line. 



Other mountain sheep, since discovered, are: One 

 very similar in pattern to Mr. Stone's sheep, which 

 has been named after Mr. E. W. Nelson of the Death 

 Valley expedition; one named ovis fannini by Mr. 

 Hornaday, which is said to have amber-like horns; and 

 one named mexicanus by Dr. Merriam, from its habitat. 

 The Mexican sheep is said to be lighter in color than 

 the common every-day big-horn, which we have known 

 so long, and to have ears nearly double in size. Its 

 range is not fully determined. 



From the sportsman's point of view these are all 

 mountain-sheep, or big-horns. They are all splendid 

 game animals. They all make fine mutton. The 

 females of all our wild sheep wear horns, which, 

 Mr. Stone says, are very much alike. " They arc 

 quite flat, slightly annulated, grow upward and back- 

 ward and outward to a height rarely exceeding eight 

 inches." 



Mr. Stone, who, I believe, has seen more wild big- 

 horn than any sportsman, gives us the following pic- 

 tures of their haunts and habits: 



" The habits of the sheep are very regular and very 

 interesting. I have spent days up in the mountains 

 watching them feed and rest and travel. In winter all 

 ages mingle in large bands of various numbers, accord- 

 ing as they are plentiful in any given locality. They 

 will paw the snow from the grass where it is only a 



