The Antelope. 307 



The rutting season of the antelope begins in September and 

 lasts nearly to the end of October. They are not always found 

 in pairs at this season, though usually only a few are seen together, 

 and these companies are likely to consist of individuals of the 

 same sex. Just before and during the rutting season the bucks 

 right with considerable energy, though I have never seen any- 

 thing quite like the description of their battles given by Audu- 

 bon and Bachman. When two males meet, they come together 

 head on and push vigorously, but no great amount of damage seems 

 to result from such contests. On the other hand, an attack is often 

 made by one buck on another without any warning. Such an assault 

 I once witnessed late in September. Two bucks were following 

 three or four does and kids, and walking quite near together, when 

 suddenly the smaller of the two charged the other, striking him a 

 terrible blow in the flank with his horns, and almost knocking him 

 down. The large buck at once lowered his head and darted at his 

 assailant, which, without any attempt at defense, took to his heels 

 and ran like the wind for at least a mile, the other pursuing for half 

 the distance. Both then slowly returned to the neighborhood of 

 the females, and after a little while, when the small buck found 

 another good opportunity, he repeated the attack, exactly in the 

 same manner, and was again chased away. By the time that the 

 two had again returned to the does, the band had passed over some 

 high bluffs and out of my sight. The larger bucks frequently chase 

 the smaller ones away; but this does little good, as they immediately 

 return again. Soon after the close of the rutting season, a partial 

 migration takes place. The antelope which, during the summer, 

 have inhabited the higher mountain valleys now move down to the 

 lower lands, and there is in all localities more or less shifting about 

 at the approach of severe weather. During the winter they collect 

 in great bands, sometimes numbering several thousand individuals. 

 At the approach of spring, these large herds break up into small 

 companies, and scatter over their summer grazing grounds. 



Toward the last of May, the does are found singly upon the, 

 prairie. The kids are born in June and are two in number. For a 

 week or more they are not at all disposed to trust to their legs for 

 safety, but hide in the low grass or among the sage brush, and at 

 this time can be approached and caught in the hands without diffi- 



