PROKG-HORNED ANTELOPE. 145 



side of the Rocky Mountains, in the great Buffalo dis- 

 tricts, where there are abundance of large moose and 

 wapiti, this species has hitherto attracted little attention 

 either from the hunters or residents. Its length is about 

 two feet and a half. 



The Prong-horned Antelope. 



Dicranocerus furcifer, Smith. Antilope Americana, Ord. 

 Antilope palmata, Desmarest. 



The prong-horned antelope is another of those deer, 

 which, inhabiting the colder regions of North America, 

 appear well fitted to give interest and variety to the 

 parks of our nobility. Its form, as described by Dr. 

 Richardson, is particularly graceful, — having a slender 

 head, large eyes, and long, delicate limbs. It stands 

 about three feet from the ground, and the fur is of a 

 clear yellowish brown, darkest on the back. It is either 

 solitary, or lives in small herds; and appears to be com- 

 mon on the open plains and low hills at the foot of 

 the Rocky Mountains, in lat. 53° N., which is its most 

 northern range. 



The mode of hunting this animal by the Indians is 

 curious, and is thus alluded to by Dr. Richardson : — 

 '' The Indian hunters have no difficulty in bringing an 

 antelope within gunshot, by various stratagems, such 

 as lying down on their backs and kicking their heels in 

 the air, holding up a white rag, or clothing themselves 

 in a white shirt, and showing themselves only at in- 

 tervals. By these and similar manoeuvres, the curiosity 

 of the herd is so much roused, that they wheel round 

 the object of their attention, and at length come within 

 reach of the hunter's shot : this disposition, in the 

 present species, is remarkably strong.* 



* North. Zool. i. 163. 



