BUFFALO HUNTING. 73 



frequently, when well matched, the struggle will be 

 protracted. At length the weaker commences to give 

 way, first slowly, always keeping his head to the foe, 

 till with sudden energy he wheels and leaves the victor 

 triumphant. All this time the cow has stood by, an 

 inert spectator, waiting for the hero of the hour to claim 

 her love. These battles seldom or never terminate 

 fatally. They occur at the period when the coat is 

 in the greatest perfection, and the almost impene- 

 trable mane which densely covers the brows and fore- 

 quarters is unquestionably of the greatest service as a 

 protection. It is my belief that when the sexes thus 

 mate, the male remains faithful to his spouse, for up to 

 within a month of the cow's confinement both keep 

 together. Early in autumn the bulls are in good con- 

 dition, but after the rutting season they gradually lose 

 flesh, and by midwinter have become so poor that they 

 are scarcely fit for food. The cow, on the other hand, 

 keeps fat, and even in spring fat may be found along 

 the vertebrae and lower portion of the carcass an inch 

 thick. 



With the advent of the first mild weather, even 

 before the snow has disappeared, they commence to 

 shed their rough coat, first from between the fore legs, 

 then the prominent parts of the body, and later from 

 the fore limbs and hump. This long hair or, as it is 



