Ti?ife (mountain ^^up 



Mexico. Most flocks in the Sierra and the 

 Rocky Mountains live above the timber-line and 

 at an altitude of twelve thousand feet. Winter 

 quarters in these high stamping-grounds appear 

 to be chosen in localities where the high winds 

 prevent a deep accumulation of snow. This 

 snow-removal decreases the danger of becoming 

 snowbound and usually enables the sheep to 

 obtain food. 



Their warm, thick under covering of fine wool 

 protects them from the coldest blasts. During 

 storms the sheep commonly huddle together to 

 the leeward of a cliff. Sometimes they stand 

 thus for days and are completely drifted over. 

 At the close of the storm the stronger ones lead 

 and buck their way out through the snow. 

 Occasionally a few weak ones perish, and oc- 

 casionally, too, a mountain lion appears while 

 the flock is almost helpless in the snow. 



Excursions from their mountain-top homes 

 are occasionally made into the lowlands. In the 

 spring they go down early for green stuff, which 

 comes first to the lowlands. They go to salt 

 licks, for a ramble, for a change of food, and for 



37 



