70 RECONNAISSANCE FROM CARROLL, MONTANA, 
36. CERVUS VIRGINIANDUS, Boddaert. 
RED DEER; WHITE-TAILED DEER. 
This species was by no means abundant in the country through which we passed. We saw a 
few along the Missouri, and I noticed one in the Judith Mountains; but on the whole they were 
seldom seen. 
37. CERVUS MACROTIS, Say. 
MULE DEER; BLACK-TAILED DEER. 
The Black-tailed Deer, as it is usually called in the Missouri River country, is an abundant spe- 
cies in Eastern Montana. It is quite unsuspicious, and, except where it has been much hunted, will 
often permit the hunter to fire two or three shots at it before it takes to flight. This species, and 
the same may be said of all large game in that section of the country, is at present most recklessly 
slaughtered for the hides alone. It will soon, unless some means are taken for its protection, be 
unknown in the regions where it is now so plentiful. 
ANTELOPID. 
38. ANTILOCAPRA AMERICANA, Ord. 
PRONG-HORNED ANTELOPE. 
Everywhere abundant on the plains, the antelope forms one of the most pleasing and attractive 
features of those barren wastes. Although where they have been much hunted they are difficult 
to approach, they are very unsuspicious and curious where they have been accustomed to seeing 
and mixing with large animals. About Camp Baker and between that post and Fort Ellis, there 
are large droves of cattle which roam at will over the prairie. The antelope become used to the 
presence of these large animals, and are often seen mingling with the herds when feeding or resting, 
One day while out from Camp Baker in search of Tertiary fossils, my companion and myself 
stopped on the borders of a little stream to rest and cook some food. The saddle-horses and pack 
mule were picketed near at hand; a fire had been kindled, and we were discussing some broiled 
venison, when two antelope suddenly appeared over the brow of a bluff about seventy-five yards 
distant. On seeing us, they scarcely hesitated, but trotted gracefully on toward us and would, I 
have no doubt, have come quite up to us, if it had not been that my companion shot them both 
when they were still about forty yards distant. When in the buffalo country, antelope, if the wind 
was right, would often approach very near me, several times coming to within a few yards of where 
I was standing. 
It is well known that the female antelope sometimes has horns and is sometimes without them: 
Observations extended over several years, together with the testimony of several plainsmen, among 
them Charles Reynolds, a hunter of seventeen years’ experience and a man of close observation, 
lead me to conclude that the horned does are always barren. I have myself examined a great num- 
ber of doe antelopes with and without horns, and have never seen one of the former class that gave 
evidence of having produced or being about to have young. Nor have I ever seen a hornless doe 
that was barren. The horns on the does vary from one to three inches in length, have no prong, 
and are soft and easily bent. Their length no doubt depends in a measure upon the age of the 
animal. Those that I have seen lack the hard bony core which is found in the horns of the perfect 
males. 
The barren does are always fat, and on this account are, when it is possible, selected by the 
hunter in preference to the other members of the herd. 
OVID. 
39. OVIS MONTANA, Cuv. 
BIGHORN ; MOUNTAIN SHEEP. 
The Bighorn occurs in considerable numbers in the Judith Mountains and in the Yellowstone 
Park, away from the trail; but they are so wary that they are not often seen. Asis well known, they 
