626 UNGULATA. 



loose in May, and the Prong-horn retires into seclusion. When it has 

 dropped off, it leaves a spongy, white fleshy substance, sparsely covered 

 with short black bristles pointing upward. This pith grows rapidly, 

 and becomes larger than the old horn. The outside, in the short time 

 of two or three days, hardens again into horn. 



The hair is very thick, brittle, and nearly two inches long. The 

 color on the back is reddish, turning to yellow on the sides and white 

 on the belly. Around the tail the hair is dazzlingly white, long, and 

 capable of being erected like a fan when the animal is alarmed. The 

 Prong-horn is chiefly found in the treeless plains. Its run is even and 

 regular, and it is the fleetest of all the animals on the plains. General 

 Dodge says that they often display a strange combination of curiosity 

 and terror. " They become beside themselves at the appearance of any 

 unusual object. A wagon train will attract every herd within the range 

 of vision. They rush at it with every indication of extreme terror, and 

 passing within a few yards, will make a complete circuit, and go off in 

 the direction from which they came." When the leader goes, the rest 

 follow like sheep ; if the leader leaps up in the air, all the herd leap in 

 the like manner. As a rule, except during the month of April, these 

 antelopes are in herds. The does are very motherly, and will give suck 

 to other young beside their own ; thus the orphan-fawns whose dams 

 have been killed seldom die. 



Their food is the short succulent grass of the prairies, and they love 

 saltish water or pure salt, and remain at the salt licks till hunger drives 

 them away. They are good swimmers, and easily pass broad streams. 

 They are hunted alike by Indians and white men. 



