CHAPTER IV 



THE PRONGHORN ANTELOPE 



THE prongbuck or pronghorn antelope, known 

 throughout its range simply as antelope, is a very 

 extraordinary creature, being the only hollow-horn 

 ruminant known which annually sheds its horns 

 as deer do their antlers. Of course, only the horn 

 sheaths are shed, leaving underneath the soft 

 and bristle-haired new horn already partially 

 formed on the bone cores. The shedding takes 

 place in the late fall. After a few days the new 

 horns harden, and in consequence there is only a 

 very brief time during which any signs are left of 

 the shedding. This is the reason why the fact 

 was so long doubted. The hair of the antelope is 

 very peculiar, being stiff, coarse, and springy. 

 It is rather loosely attached to the skin, so that 

 the hide is not valuable. When the animal is 

 alarmed or excited it has the power of erecting 

 all the brilliantly white hair on the rump, so as 

 to greatly add to its already existing conspicu- 

 ousness. 



The prongbuck is an animal of the open 

 plains. In the old days it was found as soon as 



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