THE BIGHORN IN THE SNOW 79 



have often brought me into the presence of 

 mountain sheep in the snow. They are brave, 

 self-reliant, capable, and ever alert for every 

 advantageous opportunity or opening. 



One snowy time I searched the heights for 

 hours without finding any sheep. But in de- 

 scending I found a number upon a narrow sunny 

 ledge that was free from snow; the trampling 

 and the warmth of the sheep probably had 

 helped clear this ledge. Here they could find 

 scanty rations for a week or longer. I could 

 not make out whether they had spent the storm 

 time here or had come to it afterward. 



In the heights are numerous ledges and knife- 

 edge ridges on which but little snow can lodge. 

 The cracks and niches of these hold withered 

 grass, alpine plants, and moss, which afford an 

 emergency food supply that often has saved 

 snow-bound sheep. 



Sheep are cool-headed fellows, as well befits 

 those who are intimately associated with preci- 

 pices. But one day, while slowly descending 

 a steep slope, I unintentionally threw a flock 

 into confusion. Bunched and interested, they 

 watched me approach within sixty or seventy 

 feet. I had been close to them before and this 

 time while moving closer I tried to manipulate 

 my camera. An awkward exhibition of a fall 

 resulted. The sheep, lost in curiosity, fled with- 



