342 THE STORY OF THE ANTELOPE. 



The food of the pala consists chiefly of tender herbage and the young 

 twigs of the underwood among which it generally takes up its abode. It is 

 hardly so timid as other animals of the same family, and will often allow 

 strange creatures to approach the herd without much difficulty. It has a 

 curious habit of walking away when alarmed, in the quietest and most silent 

 manner imaginable, lifting up its feet high from the ground, lest it should 

 haply strike its foot against a dry twig and give an alarm to its hidden foe. 

 Palas have also a custom of walking in single file, each following the steps of 

 its leader with blind confidence; and, when they have settled the direction in 

 which they intend to march, they adhere to their plan, and will not be turned 

 aside even by the presence of human beings. It is generally found in or near 

 the district where low wood prevails. 



THE PRONG-BUCK OR AMERICAN ANTELOPE. 



Of all the antelope tribe none affords the hunter as good sport and as 

 fine venison as the antelope found west of the Mississippi River, and known 

 to scientists as the prong-buck or the prong-horned antelope. At one time 

 it was common as far west as California and Oregon, but it is now found 

 only in the Rocky mountain regions and on the plains between those moun- 

 tains and the northern section of the Mississippi. It is a graceful, light- 

 built animal, standing about two feet ten inches at the shoulder. 



The coloration of the prong-buck is decidedly handsome and striking; 

 the general hair of the upper-parts and outer surfaces of the limbs being 

 chestnut. The hair on the back of the neck, which is of the general chestnut 

 tint, is lengthened into a kind of mane. The face is brownish black; but the 

 summit of the head above the eyes, and likewise the ears, cheeks, and chin 

 are Avhite. White also prevails on the lower portion of the throat, the under- 

 parts, and half of the flanks, and extends upwards to form a large patch on 

 the rump which includes the tail. Usually the throat is crossed by three 

 russet-yellow bars. The lower portion of the limbs is white. The horns 

 are black, save at the tips, where they become yellowish; and their usual 

 length is about 12 inches. They are shed once a year. 



The prong-buck or American antelope is shy and timid and can outrun 

 the swiftest deer. 



In spite of their extreme speed, prong-buck are but poor jumpers, and 

 appear unable to leap over any large object that may be in their path. Their 

 inability to leap over high objects may no doubt be attributed to the fact 

 that they live upon the plains, where they rarely meet with such obstruc- 



