BUFFALO. 
o7 
erally the months of June and July, and the calves are brought forth in 
April and May ; although occasionally they are produced as early as March 
or as late as July. The Buffalo most frequently has but one calf at a 
lime, but instance.s occur of their having two. The females usually re- 
tire from the herd either singly or several in company, select as solitary a 
spot as can be found, remote from the haunt of wolves, bears, or other 
enemies that would be mo.iit likely to molest them, and there produce their 
young. 
Occasionally, however, they bring forth their offspring when the herd 
is migrating, and at such times they are left by the main body, which they 
rejoin as soon as possible. The young usually follow the mother until 
she is nearly ready to have a calf again. The Buffalo seldom produces 
young until the third year, but will continue breeding until very old. 
When a cow and her very young calf are attacked by wolves, the cow 
bellows and sometimes runs at the enemy, and not unfreqiiently frightens 
him away ; this, however, is more generally the case when several cows 
are together, as the wolf, ever on the watch, is sometimes able to secure 
a calf when it is only protected by its mother. 
The Buffalo begins to shed its hair as early as February. This falling of 
the winter coat shows first between the fore-legs and around the udder in 
the female on the inner surface of the thighs, &c. Next, the entire pelage 
of long hairs drop gradually hut irregularly, leaving almost naked patches 
in some places, whilst other portions are covered with loo.sely hanging 
wool and hair. At this period these animals have an extremely ragged 
and miserable appearance. The last part of the shedding process takes 
place on the hump. During the time of shedding, the Bison searches for 
trees, bushes, &c., against which to rub himself, and thereby facilitate 
the speedy falling off of his old hair. It is not until the end of September, 
or later, that ho gains his new coat of hair. The skin of a Buffalo, killed 
in October, the hunters generally consider, makes a good Buffalo robe ; 
and who is there, that has driven in an open sleigh or wagon, that will 
not be ready to admit this covering to he the cheapest and the best, as a 
protection from the cold, rain, sleet, and the drifting snows of winter ? for it is 
not only a warm covering, hut impervious to water. 
The Bison bulls generally select a mate from among a herd of cows 
and do not leave their chosen one until she is about to calve. 
When two or more males fancy the same female, furious ijattles ensue 
and the conqueror leads off the fair cause of the contest in triumph. Should 
the cow he alone, the defeated lovers follow the happy pair at such a re- 
spectful distance, as will ensure to them a chance to make their escape, 
if they should again become obnoxious to the victor, and at the same time 
