350 EXTINCT AND VANISHING MAMMALS 



This is slightly smaller than the other North American sheep 

 and with its races is considered to represent a species different 

 from the more southern 0. canadensis and its races. In general 

 appearance it is similar, but the horns are slenderer and the 

 coat is white at all seasons, with sometimes a few scattered 

 black hairs, especially near the base of the tail, where at times 

 they may form a distinct black line. As a species distinct from 

 0. canadensis, Ovis dalli, the white sheep, is smaller, with horns 

 of greater length but of less basal circumference, "with the 

 anterior surfaces strongly rugose, the orbital angle prominent, 

 and often developed into a pronounced ridge overhanging the 

 orbital surface of the horn" (Cowan, 1940). Height at shoul- 

 ders, 39 inches; total length, 58.5 inches; tail, 4 inches. Record 

 length of horn, 47.5 inches. Weight of rams about 200 pounds 

 (Seton) ; of ewes 50 or more pounds less. 



Originally white sheep were found in the mountain ranges 

 of Alaska "from those bordering the Arctic coast south 

 through the interior to the cliffs on Kenai Peninsula, but are 

 now scarce or gone from some mountains. " " Coming within a 

 few miles of the Arctic coast south of Herschel Island," they 

 follow the Mackenzie Mountains as far south as Nahanni 

 River, north of the Liard River. Probably at one time their 

 range was practically continuous over this area. Hornaday 

 (1901) mentions the presence of this sheep in the mountains 

 east of Nome, Alaska; it was not uncommon in the region about 

 Cook Inlet, and extended as far eastward as about fifty miles 

 from the Mackenzie delta. Southward it extends along the 

 Rocky Mountains to about latitude 60 N. At the beginning 

 of this century it was regarded by A. J. Stone as common 

 throughout most of its range, but "not nearly so abundant as 

 formerly. Where hundreds roamed eight years previously, we 

 saw but sixty -four. " Sheldon (1930) found them still abun- 

 dant in the Mount McKinley region, and Dr. R. M. Anderson 

 (1939b) writes that it is "holding its range in most parts of 

 Yukon Territory and limited numbers are found along the 

 eastern slopes of the Mackenzie Mountains in Northwest Ter- 

 ritories from the Arctic coast south nearly to Liard River." 



Thus, although on the borders of its distributional area it 

 has undoubtedly been reduced in numbers, it is still common 

 on the main mountain ranges of Alaska and Yukon. Various 

 excellent accounts are in print of its habits and hunting, no- 



