68 Bird-Nesting 



until they reach an altitude of 3,800 feet, and in many places 

 are covered with valuable timber. The country is rich in 

 grasses that possess peculiar attractions for horses and cattle, 

 and the valleys and groves give ample shelter all seasons of 

 the year, and the numerous streams flowing out of the Cyprus 

 Hills afford an unfailing supply of water. The handsome pro- 

 fits realized by the stockmen testify better than words to the 

 value of this district for cattle-raising. Another splendid 

 ranch country is from Calgary to the foot hills of the Rockies, 

 and southward one hundred and fifty miles to the United 

 States boundary. You may be sure of a cordial welcome, 

 should you visit the ranchmen, and it will be well worth your 

 while to do so, if you should ever travel through this territory. 

 Cattle and horses graze at will all over the country, summer 

 and winter alike. The warm " Chinook " winds from across 

 the mountains keep the ground free from snow, except for two 

 or three days at a time, and the nutritious grasses are always 

 within reach of the cattle. In the spring and autumn all the 

 ranchmen join in a " round up," to collect and sort out the 

 animals, according to the brands of the different owners, and 

 then "the cowboy" appears in all his glory. To see these 

 splendid riders " cutting out " or separating the animals from 

 the common herd, lassoing and throwing them, that they may 

 be branded with the owner's mark, or herding a band of free- 

 born and unbroken horses, is well worth seeing. The ranch- 

 men, fine fellows from the best families in the east, and from 

 Scotland and England, live here in a lordly way, and I envy 

 them their happy, contented lives. Admirable horsemen, 

 with abundant leisure and unlimited opportunities for sport, 

 their intense love for this country is no matter for wonder, nor 

 is it surprising that every week brings more young men of 

 the best class to join in this free and joyous life. 



