HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. I I I 



and return in the spring, in smaller flocks, to the 

 great northern deserts ; where the females bring 

 forth their young, and rear them. 



The males, the females, and their young, gener- 

 ally feed together ; and when a part of them are 

 resting, others, by an instinctive kind of caution, 

 are always keeping watch ; these again are relieved 

 in due time; and in this manner, they alternately 

 rest and keep watch; frequently preserving them- 

 selves by this means, from the attacks of men and 

 wild beasts. 



Their common pace is a trot ; but, when they 

 exert their speed, they bound like the Roe-Buck, 

 and exceed it in fleetness. They are so timid as to 

 suffer themselves to be taken through fear : if once 

 bitten by a Dog, they instantly fall down, and give 

 themselves up without further effort to escape. 

 When taken young, they are easily tamed ; but the 

 old ones are so wild and obstinate, as to refuse all 

 food whilst in a state of captivity. They are hunted 

 for the sake of their flesh, horns, and skins ; the 

 latter are excellent for gloves, belts, &c. The 

 huntsman is extremely cautious in approaching a 

 herd of these animals, lest they should discover 

 him by the excellency of their smell. They are 

 either shot, or taken by Dog ; and sometimes by 

 the Black Eagle, which is trained for that purpose. 

 In running they seem to incline to one side; and 

 their motion is so rapid, that their feet seem 

 scarcely to touch the ground. 



