BIGHORN; MOUNTAIN SHEEP. 45 



who is familiar with the species, knows well that these individuals 

 are no less active and successful climbers than the rams. The 

 splintered condition of the horns of the old males is due to their 

 battle"! during the rutting season, and their play at all times of the 

 year. The feet of the Mountain Sheep are precisely fitted for their 

 life among the crags and precipices, and they seem to be able to 

 cling to any suriace which presents the slightest inequality. They 

 can thus pass over dangerous places which would be certain death 

 to any other quadruped except perhaps the White Goat. 



As has been remarked, the rutting season is in December, and 

 the young are believed to be brought forth in March, although in 

 some of the best works on Natural History the time of birth is 

 variously stated as May or June. 



Hunting the mountain sheep has for years past afforded the 

 most exhilarating and enjoyable sport in Western Colorado, 

 Wyoming, and Montana for gentlemen frpm the Stales seeking 

 pastime and recreation. It is so difficult to get within shooting 

 distance of the animal, that the sportsman feels far more elated 

 at securing one than he would in bringing down a dozen ante- 

 lope. Having secured one, the average American is generally 

 appeased. Very many English sportsmen, however, will hunt 

 mountain sheep as well as other large game by the week or 

 month, and shoot down as many as they can, for the mere wicked 

 satisfaction of adding to their score. It was said, a few years 

 ago, when we were hunting through Wyoming Territory, that 

 the trail of an English hunting party could always be followed 

 by the carcasses of animals wantonly slain. Every American 

 sportsman, who has visited the Territories, has been thoroughly 

 angered at this wholesale butchery by English hunting parties. 



