INHABITANT OF THE PLAINS. 45 



parent ringleaders, doubling one up with the first barrel, and 

 accelerating the' retreat of another with a second; for, al- 

 though he did not drop, an ominous "thud" gave me the 

 information that he had received a hint that the neigh- 

 borhood was dangerous, and that he had better leave it 

 while he had the power. In September the rutting season 

 commences, and furious encounters between the bulls take 

 place; their actions on these occasions remind the specta- 

 tors very much of domestic cattle. The combatants at first 

 sta-nd apart, eying each other with flashing orbs, while they 

 paw up the soil with their feet, throwing it frequently over 

 their withers ; their short tails lash their sides, their horns 

 are dug into the soil, and the vegetation scattered to the 

 winds ; occasionally bellowing in a low guttural voice, ap- 

 parently using every effort to work themselves into a fury. 

 At length they rush at each other ; the shock sometimes 

 brings one or both to their knees; this is repeated again 

 and again ; for over thirty minutes frequently, when well 

 matched, the struggle will be protracted. At length the 

 weaker commences to give way, first slowly, always keep- 

 ing his head to the foe, till with sudden energy he wheels 

 and leaves the victor triumphant. All this time the cow 

 has stood by, an inert spectator, waiting for the hero of the 

 hour to claim her love. These battles seldom or never ter- 

 minate fatally. They occur at the period when the coat is 

 in the greatest perfection, and the almost impenetrable mane, 

 which densely covers the brows and fore - quarters, is un- 

 questionably of the greatest service as a protection. It is 

 my belief that, when the sexes thus mate, the male remains 

 faithful to his spouse, for up to within a month of the 

 cow's confinement both kee'p together. Early in autumn 

 the bulls are in good condition ; but after the rutting sea- 

 son they gradually lose flesh, and by midwinter become so 

 poor that they are scarcely fit for food. The cow, on the 



