46 HUNTING CAMPS. 



Certainly of all game in Patagonia the wild cattle in 

 their favourite habitat, the thick forests of the southern 

 cordillera, afford the best sport and are the most difficult 

 to bring to bag, if such an expression may be used of a 

 quarry weighing close upon 2,000 Ibs. These animals are 

 said to have bred wild since their ancestors escaped from 

 the early Spanish settlements on the Valdez Peninsula to 

 the grassy hollows and forested spurs of the cordillera, since 

 when fresh blood has no doubt been constantly brought in 

 by truants from the estancias on the coast. 



The wild cattle mostly frequent the forests about the 

 Andean Lakes, and those that have been free for genera- 

 tions present a fine appearance, having lost the smooth 

 aspect of domestication and reverted to the shaggy hair, 

 lean bodies, and longer horns that mark the wild strain. 

 In the daytime they keep much to the thickest forests, 

 wandering to their edges morning and evening and feeding 

 to a great extent by night. As to drinking-places, their 

 range in the woodland is well supplied with streams. 



If the wild bull only possessed a better trophy, few 

 beasts would stand higher in the category of dangerous 

 game, for he passes his life amidst surroundings of great 

 natural beauty, among the forests and peaks on the fron- 

 tiers of the cordillera, though sometimes the herds push 

 right up to the snowline. Added to the fact that they 

 occupy very difficult country, experience has made them 

 extraordinarily wary. If attacked or wounded they in- 

 variably charge, and are agile enough to be exceedingly 

 dangerous antagonists. 



All the hills and high ground about Lake Argentine are 

 scored by the paths and trails made by the wild herds, 

 many of them leading, over the open summits. During the 

 spring and summer* the cattle remain upon the heights. 



In autumn and winter, driven downwards by the snow, 

 they descend to the lower forests and wander out upon 



