THE BIG-HORN SHEEP 275 



south-east Kootenay they are plentiful, and in the 

 Lillooet district on the Eastern Coast Range. 



Considerable variety has been developed in 

 consequence of environment. The Rocky Mountain 

 specimens found on the rugged heights are thicker 

 in the horns than those of Lillooet, which are more 

 slender, having a wider spread and finer points. The 

 Ovis stonei variety is abundant in the Cassiar locality. 

 Good specimens have been found round the head- 

 waters. 



In Atlin the saddle-back variety, Ovis fannini, 

 are found, and generally through the North-West 

 Territories. The Yukon sheep, Ovis dalliy frequents 

 the territory from Teslin Lake to the McMillan River, 

 which can be most conveniently reached from Atlin. 

 The big-horns go in flocks, occupying steep ranges, 

 difficult of access. A sentinel is generally in charge, 

 sharp of eye and quick of ear to give the alarm in 

 times of danger. Mountain sheep possess great agility, 

 and leap from rock to rock with marvellous sure- 

 footedness. Their feet are provided with a pad which 

 clings to the rocks and aids them in their perilous 

 saltatory movements. The habit attributed to the Ovis 

 canadensis of saving itself by alighting on its horns is 

 questioned by some naturalists and hunters. Catlin 

 refers to it and states that he saw one fall from a 

 considerable height on its horns, and afterwards bound 

 away unhurt. The battered and broken condition 

 in which the appendage is often found to some extent 



