MOUNTAIN SHEEP NOTES 



161 



But, while the mountain sheep dwells among and near 

 the cliffs, and knows how to utilize them to the utmost 

 in making a " masterly retreat," he rarely ventures on the 

 dizzy ledges that delight the soul of the mountain goat. 

 The mountain sheep can climb, boldly and well ; but, like 

 a sportsman who has passed his fiftieth year-post, he does 

 not care to climb high without good reason. 



The sheep killed by Mr. Phillips had been feeding 

 on bunch-grass, which grew abundantly on the side of 

 Cyclorama Ridge. Charles L. Smith says that sheep are 

 very fond of feeding on the " wild pea," or hedysarum 

 (H. Americanum) , the root of which is so acceptable to 

 the grizzly bear. 



The specimens of mountain sheep which we handled 

 so soon after our work on mountain goats, naturally sug- 

 gested comparisons between the two species. 



COMPARISON OF MOUNTAIN SHEEP, MOUNTAIN GOAT 

 AND MULE DEER 



* The writer shot and measured an old goat that stood 42 inches high at 

 the shoulders, but it was so old, and so thin in flesh, it was not weighed, 

 t Shot by W. T. H. on Hell Creek, Montana, October 9, 1901. 



