34 HOOFED ANIMALS 



is verv widely distributed throughout Alaska and the Yukon 

 Territory. Ten years ago it was abundant on the Kenai 

 Peninsula and at the head of Cook Inlet, but many have been 

 killed, and the number has been greatly reduced. Recently 

 Congress has passed a law intended to protect not only the 

 White Sheep but all the large game animals of Alaska; but 

 it is fatally defective in the extent to which it permits big 

 game to be slaughtered by natives and "prospectors." 



In the White River country of southwestern Yukon Ter- 

 ritory, not far from the Alaskan boundary, individuals of this 

 species often develop long and widely spreading horns that 

 differ decidedly from the usual close spiral of typical spec- 

 imens. An example is shown herewith. It suggests abun- 

 dant horn food and an effort on the part of Nature to develop 

 a wide-horned breed. 



The White Mountain Sheep of the Kenai Peninsula have 

 been described as a subspecies, and are known as Ovis dalli 

 Icenaiensis. Their horns are small, and in form exhibit the 

 close spiral. 



The Black Mountain Sheep, 1 of northern British Co- 

 lumbia, is distinguishable by the dark-brown color of its sides 

 and upper parts generally, and by its white abdomen. It is 

 of the same size as the white sheep, but the two species to- 

 gether form a striking contrast. The Black Sheep species 

 develops its darkest colors in the mountains north and south 

 of the Stickine River. Farther north this species and the 

 white sheep have been found inhabiting the same locality, 

 and therefore we have ventured to show both in one plate. 



1 O'vis stone'i. 



