TWto (mountain £0eep 



a series of zigzag jumps. In some of these he 

 leaped several feet almost horizontally to gain 

 a few inches vertically. Occasionally he leaped 

 up and struck with his feet in a place where he 

 could not stand, but from which he leaped to a 

 place more roomy. His feet slipped as he landed 

 from one high jump; instantly he pushed him- 

 self off backward and came down feet foremost 

 on the narrow place from which he had just 

 leaped. He tried again and succeeded. 



The edges of sheep's hoofs are hard, while the 

 back part of the bottom is a rubbery, gristly 

 pad, which holds well on smooth, steep sur- 

 faces. Cooperating with these excellent feet 

 are strong muscles, good eyes, and keen wits. 



Wild sheep are much larger than tame ones. 

 They are alert, resourceful, and full of energy. 

 Among the Colorado bighorns the rams are 

 from thirty-eight to forty-two inches high, and 

 weigh from two hundred to three hundred and 

 fifty pounds. The ewes are a third smaller. 

 The common color is grayish brown, with under 

 parts and inside of the legs white. In the north 

 there is one pure-white species, while on neigh- 



35 



