CHAPTEE VIII. 



THE PRONG-HORNED ANTELOPE. 



FEOM the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean, 

 and from the Gulf of Mexico to about the fiftieth 

 degree of north latitude, this beautiful animal a,t one 

 time ranged. Now, however, from the same causes as 

 have restricted the habitats of other large American 

 game, the prong-horned Antelope will only be found 

 on the great prairies that lay on the eastern margin 

 of the Eocky Mountains, and in the vast plain of 

 Sonora and North-West Mexico. For from their 

 wonderful fleetness, and extreme watchfulness, horses 

 and hounds are useless in their pursuit. Frequently, 

 however, they are brought within range of the sports- 

 man by waving a coloured handkerchief or other 

 unknown object. This must always be done down 

 wind, care at the same time being taken to conceal 

 every part of the person. I can imagine no weapon 

 better suited for killing this game than the new express 

 rifle. In no description of field-sports that I know 

 of will the skill of the stalker be better tried than 

 in pursuit of this handsome indigenous game ; and if 

 your shot should be a running one, and you do your 

 work in a clean and workmanlike manner, you will 

 deserve all praise, for you have caused to bite the dust 

 the swiftest, in my belief, of all quadrupeds in fact 



