OP THE UPPER MISSOURI. 
149 
Erethizon epixanthus, Brandt. 
Yellow-haired Porcupine. Baird, General Report on Mammals, 1857, p. 569. 
Occurs rarely throughout the Upper Missouri country. Its quills are much used by 
the Indian women for ornamental purposes. Range: Upper Missouri, whole of the Pacific 
coast. 
Cervus Canadensis, Eixl. 
American Elk. Baird, General Report on Mammals, 1857, p. 6B8. 
Much might be said in regard to the habits of this noble animal, but they are now so 
well known, that I need not dwell on them here. At the present time, the Elk is most 
abundant on the Upper Missouri, above Fort Union, and in the valley of the Yellowstone. 
Though rather rare, it is not unfrequently seen below Fort Pierre, throughout Western 
Iowa. Range: Northern portion of the United States to Upper Missouri, and west to the 
Pacific. Found in the Alleghanies of Pennsylvania and Virginia. 
Cervus leucurus, Douglass. 
White-tailed Deer. Baird, General Report on Mammals, 1857, p. 649. 
The Wood Deer, or White-tailed Deer as it is called by the Indians, is rather common 
along the timbered streams. Formerly, these animals were very abundant below Fort 
Pierre to Big Sioux and Council bluffs, but the severity of the cold during the winter of 
1855 to 1856 destroyed them so, that at the present time they are very seldom seen. A 
female was killed near Fort Pierre, with six young in utero. Range: Upper Missouri and 
Platte to the Columbia river and Washington Territory, Western Texas, and New Mexico 1 
Cervus macrotis, Say. 
Mule or Black-tailed Deer. Baird, General Report on Mammals, 1857, p. 656. 
This is the most abundant animal of the Deer kind in the West. In the interminable 
ravines that border the rivers, it is found in the greatest abundance. Though very shy, 
its peculiar haunt is very favorable for the hunter. In the valley of Sage creek and in the 
Bad Lands these animals are found by hundreds. The valley of the Shyenne is also a 
favorite haunt for them. They are very seldom found in the prairie, but confined for the 
most part to the more nigged hills along the streams. They are very prolific, usually pro¬ 
ducing two, often three, and sometimes four or five young at a birth. The flesh of the 
Black-tailed Deer, Sin-ta-sa-pa in the Sioux language, is very delicate, and more so than 
that of the G. leucurus. I have never seen this Deer below the mouth of the Niobrara. 
Range: Upper Missouri and Platte to the Cascade range (head of Des Chutes river), 
Oregon Territory; not extending to the Pacific; head-waters of the Arkansas. 
