THE EXTERMINATION OF THE AMERICAN BISON. 167 



There are no Buffaloes whatever in the vicinity of the Yellow- 

 stone Park, either in Wyoming, Montana, or Idaho, save what 

 wander out of that reservation, and when any do they are speedily 

 killed. 



There is a rumour that there are ten or twelve mountain 

 Buffaloes still on foot in Colorado, in a region called Lost Park, 

 and, while it lacks confirmation, we gladly accept it as a fact. 

 In 1888 Mr. C. B. Cory, of Boston, saw in Denver, Colorado, 

 eight fresh Buffalo skins, which it was said had come from the 

 region named above. In 1885 there was a herd of about forty 

 mountain Buffalo near South Park, and, although some of the 

 number may still survive, the indications are that the total 

 number of wild Buffaloes in Colorado does not exceed twenty 

 individuals. 



In Texas a miserable remnant of the great southern herd 

 still remains in the ' Pan-handle country,' between the two forks 

 of the Canadian River. In 1886 about two hundred head 

 survived, which number by the summer of 1887 had been reduced 

 to one hundred, or less. In the hunting season of 1887-88 a 

 ranchman, named Lee Howard, fitted out and led a strong party 

 into the haunts of the survivors, and killed fifty-two of them. 

 In May, 1888, Mr. C. J. Jones again visited this region for the 

 purpose of capturing Buffaloes alive. His party found, from first 

 to last, thirty -seven Buffaloes, of which they captured eighteen 

 head, — eleven adult cows and seven calves, — the greatest feat ever 

 accomplished in Buffalo -hunting. It is highly probable that Mr. 

 Jones and his men saw about all the Buffaloes now living in the 

 Pan-handle country, and it therefore seems quite certain that 

 not over twenty-five individuals remain. These are so few, so 

 remote, and so difficult to reach, it is to be hoped no one will 

 consider them worth going after, and that they will be left to take 

 care of themselves. It is greatly to be regretted that the State 

 of Texas does not feel disposed to make a special effort for their 

 protection and preservation. 



In regard to the existence of wild Buffaloes in the British 

 Possessions, the statements of different authorities are at variance, 

 by far the larger number holding the opinion that there are in all 

 the North-west Territory only a few almost solitary stragglers. 

 But there is still good reason for the hope, and also the belief, 

 that there still remain in Athabasca, between the Athabasca and 

 Peace Rivers, at least a few hundred wood Buffalo. 



