STATUS OF THE PRONGHORNED ANTELOPE, 1922-1924 5 
begin " flashing " their white rump patches on being startled or 
excited. 
Curiosity. — In addition to its physical peculiarities the pronghorn 
is very different psychologically from any other of our large-game 
animals. Early in their acquaintance with these animals hunters 
became familiar with their intense curiosity, and have employed 
various methods to toll them within gunshot. One of these was 
to lie on the ground and wave a red flag slowly back and forth on 
a ramrod. Another strange performance often said to have the 
same effect was for a hunter to lie on his back and kick his heels 
in the air. 
While in Mexico some years ago, during the Biological Survey 
zoological explorations, the writer located a considerable number of 
antelope on the grassy plains of northwestern Chihauhua, but found 
them so shy from being hunted in these open spaces that they were 
almost impossible of approach within gunshot. Specimens were 
needed for the bureau's scientific study series and every effort was 
made to secure them — at first, owing to the shyness of these animals, 
almost without success. Finally, recalling old stories of the curiosity 
of the antelope, the writer tried the experiment of taking a white 
bed sheet and, placing one edge over his head, fastened it under 
his chin. This formed a kind of hood, and when the two upper 
corners were passed under his arms and attached at the middle in 
the back, and the hanging edges fastened in front of his body, the 
whole formed a kind of hooded cloak completely covering him from 
head to foot. A lot of long grass stems were then gathered and 
stuck through his hatband so to form a tall, grassy crown. 
Covered with this white cloak the writer rode out on the plains 
until he located a band of antelope, and when at a distance of nearly 
half a mile dismounted, hobbled his horse, and proceeded toward 
them in a stooping posture. Meanwhile they were standing look- 
ing fixedly at him. When he came within 500 yards he went on 
his hands and knees, the sheet covering him to -the ground, and 
began moving slowly toward them. The antelope had lined up, 
with a large buck standing in front. They turned several times 
and nervously ran a short distance and then turned and raced back 
to their first position, where they lined up to look at the strange 
object. The old buck of the band, which from the beginning had 
stood out by itself in front, began slowing walking toward him. 
The writer then stopped and sat with crossed legs, the cloak still 
hiding his person, and waited, rifle in hand, until the buck had come 
within 100 yards, when it became a prize for the bureau's scientific 
collection. 
On another occasion, while clad in the same disguise, the writer 
saw a solitary old buck antelope standing about half a mile away on 
the far side of a bare, dry, alkali mud flat. He again dismounted 
and made a similar approach, the buck meanwhile standing and 
watching him steadily. The buck remained motionless and per- 
mitted the writer to continue to approach until within about 100 
yards without showing any sign of alarm. 
Another solitary buck grazing on an open grassy plain was ap- 
proached in the same manner. Whenever it stopped grazing and 
looked at him intently, the writer moved his head up and down and 
