THE DESERT BIGHORN 139 



deep, rocky, gravel-filled basins are nearly al- 

 ways located just below some high "dry fall," 

 and the sheep must often approach them over 

 steep, tortuous paths. This is a decided ad- 

 vantage to them, as it gives them an oppor- 

 tunity to note the presence of enemies before 

 descending for water. 



There are no definite migrations among big- 

 horns except the vertical ones. At the approach 

 of winter the sheep living in the higher moun- 

 tain ranges, such as the Funeral, Santa Rosa, 

 and Providence Mountains, descend to the 

 lower rocky foothills and mesas adjacent to the 

 desert plains to feed on the galetta grass; but 

 they go no farther. They know better than to 

 abandon rough grounds, for it is only on such 

 surfaces that they are able adequately to pro- 

 tect themselves and their young from the 

 persecutions of coyotes and man. Sheep have 

 been known to cross the open desert, but, as 

 Dr. M earns observed, they are probably at 

 such times passing from one mountain range to 

 another. 



When spring arrives the flocks work upward 

 to the zone just below the pinons. At this 



