INHABITANT OF THE PLAINS. 45 
parent ringleaders, doubling one up with the first barrel, and 
accelerating the retreat of another with a second ; for, al- 
though he did not drop, an ominous “thud” gave me the 
information that he had received a hint that the neigh- 
borhood was dangerous, and that he had better leave it 
while he had the power. In September the rutting season 
commences, and furious encounters between the bulls take 
place; their actions on these occasions remind the specta- 
tors very much of domestic cattle. The combatants at first 
stand apart, eying each other with flashing orbs, while they 
paw up the soil with their feet, throwing it frequently over 
their withers; their short tails lash their sides, their horns 
are dug into the soil, and the vegetation scattered to the 
winds; occasionally bellowing in a low guttural voice, ap- 
parently using every effort to work themselves into a fury. 
At length they rush at each other; the shock sometimes 
brings one or both to their knees; this is repeated again 
and again; for over thirty minutes frequently, when well 
matched, the struggle will be protracted. At length the 
weaker commences to give way, first slowly, always keep- 
ing his head to the foe, till with sudden energy he wheels 
and leaves the victor triumphant. All this time the cow 
has stood by, an inert spectator, waiting for the hero of the 
hour to claim her love. These battles seldom or never ter- 
minate fatally. They occur at the period when the coat is 
in the greatest perfection, and the almost impenetrable mane, 
which densely covers the brows and fore - quarters, is un- 
questionably of the greatest service as a protection. It is 
my belief that, when the sexes thus mate, the male remains 
faithful to his spouse, for up to within a month of the 
cow’s confinement both keep together. Early in autumn 
the bulls are in good condition; but after the rutting sea- 
son they gradually lose flesh, and by midwinter become so 
poor that they are scarcely fit for food. The cow, on the 
