298 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 
Type locality. Texas. 
Faunal position. Boreal, transition and austral zones. 
Habitat. Plains, prairies and forests. 
Distribution in New York. The bison, exterminated in this state be- 
fore the beginning of the present century, probably occurred throughout 
western New York, east at least as far as Syracuse. 
Principal records. De Kay, ‘‘The bison, or American buffalo, has 
been long extirpated from this state; and although it is not at present 
found east of the Mississippi, yet there is abundant testimony from vari- 
ous writers to show that this animal was formerly numerous along the 
Atlantic coast from New York to Mexico” (42, Pp. ITO). 
Allen, “The occurrence of a stream in western New York called 
Buffalo creek which empties into the eastern end of Lake Erie, is 
commonly viewed as traditional evidence of its occurrence at this 
point, but positive testimony to this effect has thus far escaped me. 
This locality, if it [the bison] actually came so far eastward, must have 
‘formed the eastern limit of its range along the lakes. I have found 
only highly questionable allusions to the occurrence of buffaloes along 
the southern shore of Lake Ontario. Keating, on the authority of 
Calhoun, however, has cited a passage from Morton’s ‘ Vew Luglhsh 
Canaan’ as proof of their former existence in the neighborhood of this 
lake. Morton’s statement is based on Indian reports, and the context 
gives sufficient evidence of the general vagueness of his knowledge of 
the region of which he wasspeaking . . . The extreme northeastern limit 
of the former range of the buffalo seems to have been as above stated in 
western New York, near the eastern end of Lake Erie. That it probably 
ranged thus far, there is fair evidence ” (776, p. 107). 
Hornaday. In his paper on the extermination of the American bison 
(’89, p. 385-86) Mr Hornaday repeats Dr Allen’s statements concerning 
the former range of the bison in New York, but is able to add no 
further information. Under date of January 12, 1898, he writes me, 
“¢ Since the publication of this memoir I have obtained what I consider 
perfectly reliable evidence that bison herds formerly visited the salt 
akes in the vicinity of Syracuse, and you are at liberty to mention the 
fact if you choose. I have not yet published the details, but intend to 
do so soon.” 
In reply to my inquiry concerning the former status of the bison 
in western New York, Hon. David F. Day of Buffalo replied as follows, 
‘“‘As to the occurrence of the bison in this state I can only say that, so 
far as my reading extends, the animal is not mentioned as an inhabitant 
