THE BIGHORN IN THE SNOW 79 
have often brought me into the presence of 
mountain sheep in the snow. They are brave, 
self-reliant, capable, and ever alert for every 
advantageous opportunity or opening. 
One snowy time I searched the heights for 
hours without finding any sheep. But in de- 
scending I found a number upon a narrow sunny 
ledge that was free from snow; the trampling 
and the warmth of the sheep probably had 
helped clear this ledge. Here they could find 
scanty rations for a week or longer. I could 
not make out whether they had spent the storm 
time here or had come to it afterward. 
In the heights are numerous ledges and knife- 
edge ridges on which but little snow can lodge. 
The cracks and niches of these hold withered 
grass, alpine plants, and moss, which afford an 
emergency food supply that often has saved 
snow-bound sheep. 
Sheep are cool-headed fellows, as well befits 
those who are intimately associated with preci- 
pices. But one day, while slowly descending 
a steep slope, I unintentionally threw a flock 
into confusion. Bunched and interested, they 
watched me approach within sixty or seventy 
feet. I had been close to them before and this 
time while moving closer I tried to manipulate 
my camera. An awkward exhibition of a fall 
resulted. The sheep, lost in curiosity, fled with- 
