40 



NATURAL HIK1011Y. 



in which the hair is yellowish-red instead of nearly black or brown, the short horns being, as well, 

 directed considerably upwards instead of directly outwards. 



In the Island of Celebes the smallest species of Buffalo is found, which differs but little in appear- 

 ance from the young of the Cape species. It is known as the ANOA ; is black, with short, wavy hair, 

 and has short, parallel prismatic horns directed vip wards from the forehead. 



THE PRONGHOEN ANTELOPE.* 



This Antelope of North America, one of the few forms of the Hollow-horned Euminants which 

 inhabit the New "World, is different from all the other members of the group in two respects at least, 

 namely, that its horns are branched, as implied in the name, and that they are annually shed. 



The accompanying figure is a side view of the skull of the animal, whose size is nearly that of 

 a Fallow Deer, although its build is not so heavy. It is there seen that 

 each horn-core forms a blade-shaped projection six inches long, with the pointed 

 end behind, situated above the eyes perpendicular to the line of the face, 

 rounded posteriorly and sharpened in front. Each horn itself is a foot or so in 

 its greatest length, is pointed and gently curved backwards, at the same 

 time that from the front of it, very slightly above the middle of its height, a 

 short branch arises which is directed forwards, the whole there dividing 

 into two. Each horn is flattened from side to side, is not annulated, and 

 in its structure scarcely differs from that of a Sheep or Goat. 



For some years before it was certainly known to be the case, it had been 

 rumoured by the hunters of Fort Union that the Pronghorn Antelope shed 



its horns each year; and in the year 1858 Dr. 

 C. A. Canfield, of Monterey, California, in writing 

 to Professor Baird, of the Smithsonian Insti- 

 tution, Washington, informed him that in speci- 

 mens in his possession " their horns drop off 

 annually." This letter remained unprinted until 

 in England Mr. A. D. Bartlett, Superinten- 

 dent of the Zoological Gardens in .Regent's 

 Park, London, in 1865 drew attention to the 

 same fact, which was observed by him in a male 

 animal living in the Gardens at the time 



The horns not antlers, be it noticed 

 are, it is now certain, detached each year from their supporting cores, and subsequently dropped, to 

 bs replaced by others which at the time of shedding have already advanced some way in growth, 

 although at first they are very pale and soft. In this respect the Pronghorn is not resembled by 

 any other Antelope, and differs entirely from the Deer. 



Of the species Dr. Canfield, in the letter above referred to, gives several interesting details as 

 to its habits, from which we may infer that they are not so cunning or so fleet as their allies in 

 Africa and India : " From the 1st of September to the 1st of March they run in bands, the bucks, 

 does, and kids all together," shortly after which time the young are born, upon which the bucks 

 separate and wander about alone until the following season. "A band of Pronghorn Antelopes, when 

 frightened, never run directly away from you, but cross over in front of you, running across your 

 path from one side to the other repeatedly, and keeping about a hundred yards ahead. On this 

 account it is sometimes easy, on a smart Horse, to run into a drove of them and catch one of them 

 with a noose. When one is alone, and is watched by a person or animal and becomes frightened, it 

 makes a sort of shrill blowing noise like a whistle, and then commences bounding off. On the neck 

 it has a heavy, thick, chestnut-coloured mane, five or six inches long, and on the rump a white patch 

 of coarse hair ; and when the animal is frightened it always erects the mane and the hair and this 

 white spot, thus giving it a very singular and characteristic appearance as it runs bounding away 



SKULL OF THE PRONGHOKN ANTELOPE. 



* Antilocapra americana. 



