STATUS OF THE PBONGHOBNED ANTELOPE, 1922-1924 5 



begin " flashing' " their white rump patches on being startled or 

 excited. 



Curiosity. — In addition to its physical peculiarities the pronghorn 

 is very different psychologically from any other of our large-game 

 animals. Early in their acquaintance with these animals hunters 

 became familiar with their intense curiosity, and have employed 

 various methods to toll them within gunshot. One of these was 

 to lie on the ground and wave a red flag slowly back and forth on 

 a ramrod. Another strange performance often said to have the 

 same effect was for a hunter to lie on his back and kick his heels 

 in the air. 



TThile in Mexico some years ago, during the Biological Survey 

 zoological explorations, the writer located a considerable number of 

 antelope on the grassy plains of northwestern Chihauhua, but found 

 them so shy from being hunted in these open spaces that they were 

 almost impossible of approach within gunshot. Specimens were 

 needed for the bureau's scientific study series and every effort was 

 made to secure them — at first, owing to the shyness of these animals, 

 almost without success. Finally, recalling old stories of the curiosity 

 of the antelope, the writer tried the experiment of taking a white 

 bed sheet and, placing one edge over his head, fastened it under 

 his chin. This formed a kind of hood, and when the two upper 

 corners were passed under his arms and attached at the middle in 

 the back, and the hanging edges fastened in front of his body, the 

 whole formed a kind of hooded cloak completely covering him from 

 head to foot. A lot of long grass stems were then gathered and 

 stuck through his hatband so to form a tall, grassy crown. 



Covered with this white cloak the writer rode out on the plains 

 until he located a band of antelope, and when at a distance of nearly 

 half a mile dismounted, hobbled his horse, and proceeded toward 

 them in a stooping posture. Meanwhile they were standing look- 

 ing fixedly at him. When he came within 500 yards he went on 

 his hands and knees, the sheet covering him to the ground, and 

 began moving slowly toward them. The antelope had lined up, 

 with a large buck standing in front. They turned several times 

 and nervously ran a short distance and then turned and raced back 

 to their first position, where they lined up to look at the strange 

 object. The old buck of the band, which from the beginning had 

 stood out by itself in front, began slowing walking toward him. 

 The writer then stopped and sat with crossed legs, the cloak still 

 hiding his person, and waited, rifle in hand, until the buck had come 

 within 100 yards, when it became a prize for the bureau's scientific 

 collection. 



On another occasion, while clad in the same disguise, the writer 

 saw a solitary old buck antelope standing about half a mile away on 

 the far side of a bare, dry, alkali mud flat. He again dismounted 

 and made a similar approach, the buck meanwhile standing and 

 watching him steadily. The buck remained motionless and per- 

 mitted the writer to continue to approach until within about 100 

 yards without showing any sign of alarm. 



Another solitary l>uH< grazing on an open grassy plain was ap- 

 proached in the same manner. WTienever it" stopped grazing and 

 looked at him intently, the writer moved his head up and down and 



