AMONG THE ANIMALS OF THE YOSEMITE 189 



are passing through the comparatively open for- 

 ests to and from their summer pastures near the 

 summits of the range. They go up the moun- 

 tains early in the spring as the snow melts, not 

 waiting for it all to disappear ; reaching the 

 high Sierra about the first of June, and the 

 coolest recesses at the base of the peaks a month 

 or so later. I have tracked them for miles over 

 compacted snow from three to ten feet deep. 



Deer are capital mountaineers, making their 

 way into the heart of the roughest mountains ; 

 seeking not only pasturage, but a cool climate, 

 and safe hidden places in which to bring forth 

 their young. They are not supreme as rock- 

 climbing animals ; they take second rank, yield- 

 ing the first to the mountain sheep, which dwell 

 above them on the highest crags and peaks. 

 Still, the two meet frequently ; for the deer 

 climbs all the peaks save the lofty summits above 

 the glaciers, crossing piles of angular boulders, 

 roaring swollen streams, and sheer-walled canons 

 by fords and passes that would try the nerves 

 of the hardiest mountaineers, — climbing with 

 graceful ease and reserve of strength that can- 

 not fail to arouse admiration. Everywhere some 

 species of deer seems to be at home, — on rough 

 or smooth ground, lowlands or highlands, in 

 swamps and barrens and the densest woods, in 

 varying climates, hot or cold, over all the conti- 

 nent ; maintaining glorious health, never mak- 



