m'CHESNEY on DAKOTA MAMMALS. 205 



BOYID.^. 



Bison americanus, (Gm.) H. Smith. 



The American Buffalo was a few years ago numerous on the " Coteaii 

 des Prairies"] none, however, have been seen here since 1868. The bones 

 of mauy may be seen at the present day scattered over the prairie. The 

 steady advances of civilization have forced the Buffalo, in common with 

 all the large mammals, from this locality, and into comparatively nar- 

 row limits, where, unless protection is extended, it must ere long be 

 numbered with the animals of the past. 



ANTILOCAPEID^. 



ANTILOCAPRA AMERICAlSrA, Ord. 



The Prong-horn Antelope was formerly very abundant, but is now 

 rarely seen here. Occasionally we hear of this animal having been seen 

 on the western slope of the Coteau, having doubtless come from the 

 valley of the James River, about thirty-five miles from the post. 



CERYID.E. 



Cariacus macrotis, {Say) Gray. 



The Mule or Black-tailed Deer is not now found on the Ooteau to my 

 knowledge. The last I have heard of being killed in this vicinity 

 occurred three years ago at Clear Lake, about ten miles from the post. 



Cariacus yirginianus, (Bodd.) Gray. 



The While-tailed Deer was some ten years ago very common in this 

 vicinity; none have been seen for several years past. 



VESPERTILIONID^. 



One or more species of the ordinary Bats are certainly represented 

 here, but no specimens have been procured, and I do not therefore desire 

 to commit myself to any determination of species. 



SORICID^.* 

 [?] SoREX cooPERi, Bach. 



I believe that Cooper's Shrew is moderately abundant in this locality;, 

 but as specimens of this genus are very difficult of identification, those 

 I have collected have been submitted to Dr. Coues for determination . 



* [I have been unable to find time to give Dr. McCbesney's Soricidce the critical 

 attention they require, and these identifications must be considered provisional. . Be- 

 sides the two species presented, the collection contains Neosorex palustris, received 

 since this paper was prepared. — E. C] 



