660 NATURAL HISTORY MISCELLANY. 
two inches or more. They shed their horns about the first of January. 
They are very easily tamed so as to stand touching by one, but dislike to 
rubbed on the back, their hair being so very brittle. They are fond of 
milk, bread, corn, etc., at any age. Unless they do without milk for a 
while when about a year old, they will not drink it. They also like a little 
salt at a time, sugar, candy, etc. I never found but one antelope horn shed 
on the plains, or heard of any being found (I have made many enquiries 
about it), and the one I found was partly eaten up Ged the wolves.—W. M. 
inet Fort Laramie. 
E WOODPECKER AND SHELDRAKE.—The Downy Woodpecker fre- 
ae spreads it wings against the bark to maintain its hold; the stiff 
quills performing the same office as the tail. It goes up the tree, along 
the horizontal branches, around the limb sidewise, then a short distance 
down the trunk, tail first, and lodges itself in the crotches to hammer. 
It strikes many deft little side blows, ceases work and clings some res 
as if to rest, with loose plumage, picking its breast and looking abou 
Last spring when the Dusky Ducks were migrating, I noticed one mo 
ing a large flock separating, in the course of their flight, into Re 
pairs. Soon uniting again, it is probable they were seeking their partners 
ie ST, ma r 
or even before the river has begun to open in spring, 
a Ea hat their appearance, early in the morning, but seldom 
ore sunrise; they fly from the sea, where they probably roost, up the 
stream. So metimes they file along one after the other; more often they 
proceed in no irae order. When they we bound a long distance up 
ween dusk and the daylight. On their.return down stream, often in 
pairs or singly, or small parties, they fly close to the surface of the ice or 
water, and very swiftly. 
ht, scale low over the w , thro their webbed feet and stop 
with a splash. They look handsomely, their necks deeply curved, the 
male with such strong contrasts of blac d white. They croak and 
to look closely; sili a circuit and sade close to the ice, they rose 
again, an old male = Soaking, saying plainly to my ears, “we can’t get in 
