THE BISON 



name of bison ; the so-called Indian and Burmese bison belonging to a totally 

 different group of the ox tribe. 



European bison, which associate in large herds, are essentially forest 

 animals, although the forest they inhabit must be comparatively thin and intersected 

 with glades and meadows where the herd can graze. The neighbourhood of water 

 is also essential ; and when muddy pools are available, they are utilised for 

 wallowing. In addition to taking these mud-baths, bull bison in summer are 

 fond of rolling in sandy or dusty spots. 



Leaves and grass form the greater portion of the food of the Bielowitza 

 herd in summer, one particular kind of grass, known as zubr-grass, being a special 

 favourite and communicating to the animals themselves an aromatic odour. Young 

 shoots, twigs, and bark, especially those of the ash, are also largely eaten ; and in 

 obtaining bark the stems of trees are frequently stripped as high as the animals 

 can reach, while numbers of saplings are trampled down. Except where they are 

 artificially fed, bison have to depend almost entirely upon buds, twigs, bark, and 

 patches of dry grass and bracken for sustenance ; and at this season the herds 

 leave the damper parts of the forest to take up their quarters in the driest 

 situations they can find. 



Although an adult bull bison is more than a match for any wolf that ever 

 existed, the Bielowitza herd is constantly harassed by the attacks of wolves, bears, 

 and lynxes, which kill many of the calves, and probably also overpower weakly and 

 half-starved cows in winter, especially if the wolves hunt in packs. 



Bison feed chiefly in the early mornings and evening, although they may be 

 seen abroad at all hours. During the breeding-season, in August and September, 

 fierce combats take place between rival bulls for the mastery of the herds. When 

 disturbed or alarmed, the herd breaks into a quick trot, which soon develops into a 

 heavy lumbering gallop ; and there is scarcely a finer sight in the world than a 

 charging troop of these magnificent beasts. 



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