74 ACCESSIBLE FIELD SPORTS. 



frequently called, wool comes off in patches, trees 

 and rocks being used to rub against ; the result is, that 

 by March a more ragged, tattered, weather-beaten 

 creature can scarcely be imagined. The horns of both 

 bull and cow are about the same length ; those of the 

 former are thick, blunt, and clumsy, while the latter 

 are sharp, slim, and trim-looking. Both sexes much 

 resemble each other ; at the same time the figure of 

 the female is more delicately formed, and not within a 

 couple of hands as high at the shoulder, nor is she 

 clothed with such a quantity of the rough, coarse 

 covering over the fore quarters. 



When a herd of buffalo are alarmed by the approach 

 of the hunter, the cows in a few seconds head the 

 retreating herd, closely followed by the yearlings and 

 calves, while the lumbering old bulls, from incapacity, 

 drop in rear. When not disturbed, in lying down or 

 rising they exactly resemble others of the Bos family ; 

 but if they be come upon unawares by an object of 

 fear, the velocity with which they gain their legs 

 and break into a gallop is truly surprising. They are 

 excellent swimmers, and have no hesitation in enter- 

 ing water ; nevertheless, annually, great numbers are 

 drowned ; but this generally occurs in spring, when 

 the broken ice is clearing out of the streams. Through- 

 out the Western country there are numerous quag- 



