48 



IS. Antilocapra Americana. Pronghorn. " Antelope.' 

 Common in summer as far east as the middle of the state, and for- 

 merly ranged much further eastward. Not observed in winter much 

 -to the eastward of the Colorado boundary, at this season they mostly 

 .abandoning this portion of the state for the milder portions of the 

 country to the southward and westward. We observed them in June 

 about Fort Hays in small parties of six to a dozen. They were, how- 

 ever, exceedingly wary and difficult to approach. Fawns a few days 

 old were frequently brought in to the Post during the first two weeks 

 of June, but they usually soon died, even under the most careful 

 treatment. The fawns, even when but a few days old, were often 

 more wary and even fleeter than their dams, frequently taking flight 

 first and leading the herd. 



The fawns, when taken very young and without injury, are easily 

 reared, and become thoroughly domesticated, making very graceful 

 and interesting pets. The Indian method of capturing them by creep- 

 ing up to them stealthily when they are asleep and throwing a blan- 

 ket over them is the most successful, as they are then taken without 

 experiencing an excessive shock of fright or bodily injury. When 

 run down with horses, the common way of taking them, they gener- 

 ally die in three or four weeks, from the effects of the chase and the 

 fright, not more than one in eight or ten, it is said, surviving. 



Although tolerably frequent in northwestern Kansas in summer, 

 they are far less numerous here than in eastern Colorado, or on the 

 plains of southern Wyoming. 



13. Cervus Canadeiisis. Elk. More or less common near 

 the streams, especially on Paradise Creek, and occurs as far east at 

 least as Fort Harker. 



14:. Cervus tnacrotis. Mule Deer. "Blacktail." More or 

 less common along the wooded portions of the streams, especially on 

 the Smoky and the Paradise. 



Bats were frequently observed flying about at Fort Hays, but as 

 none were obtained the species were not determined. 



3fll KTIKTE. 



15. Mils musciilus. Common Mouse. Common in the 

 houses at Hays City. 





