BUFFALO HUNTING THIRTY-FIVE YEARS AGO 



5 



"trails" were often ten or twelve miles 

 in length. Large numbers of buffalo 

 passing- in this way over the same 

 ground soon marked ont a well beaten 

 track closely resembling a foot-path. 

 These buffalo trails could be seen on 

 the banks of streams and rivers running 

 through the buffalo country converging 

 from all directions, some faintly 

 marked, others worn eight or ten inch- 

 es deep. These trails always led to 

 water. Many travelers on the plains 

 have been saved from death by thirst 

 by following a buffalo trail. 



The buffalo, like other animals, was 

 horribly pestered and annoyed by fleas. 

 To rid himself of these and also to cool 

 his hot sides, he wallowed in the earth 

 in a manner peculiar to himself. 

 Kneeling first, and then placing one 

 shoulder on the ground, he revolved by 

 the use of his hind legs, thus making 

 what was called a "buffalo wallow." 

 Standing water was often found in these 

 hollow places far into the dry season. 

 Every young bull aspired to become the 



leader of a herd. The question of rank 

 was invariably determined by tests of 

 strength, and combats, fierce and furi- 

 ous, were of frequent occurrence. 

 Sometimes the death of one or both of 

 the contestants resulted, but usually the 

 vanquished bull took his place far in 

 the rear ranks of the herd. If the vic- 

 tor had previously been the leader, he 

 retained his ascendency, but if he could 

 not maintain his position he was sup- 

 planted by his antagonist, without even 

 the consolation of honorable retire- 

 ment. Might made right in the buffalo 

 herd. 



Next in importance to the herd lead- 

 er were a number of young bulls who 

 acted as protectors of the herd. These 

 had free range of the herd at large, so 

 long as they did not interfere with the 

 leader. Between the old and young 

 bulls there was always a bitter hostil- 

 ity. As the younger ones gained in 

 strength they attacked the older ones, 

 and as the leaders grew feeble they 

 were at last vanquished, when they be- 





COWS AND CALVES. ARE AW AYS FQUNp IN THE CENTER OF THE HERD 



