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THE STORY OF THE ANTELOPE . 
The food of the pala consists chiefly of tender herbage and the young 
twigs of the underwood among which it generally takes up its abode. It is 
hardly, so timid as other animals of the same family, and will often allow 
strange creatures to approach the herd without much difficulty. It has a 
curious habit of walking away when alarmed, in the quietest and most silent 
manner imaginable, lifting up its feet high from the ground, lest it should 
haply strike its foot against a dry twig and give an alarm to its hidden foe. 
Palas have also a custom of walking in single file, each following the steps of 
its leader with blind confidence; and, when they have settled the direction in 
which they intend to march, they adhere to their plan, and will not be turned 
aside even by the presence of human beings. It is generally found in or near 
the district where low wood prevails. 
THE PRONG-BUCK OR AMERICAN ANTELOPE. 
Of all the antelope tribe none affords the hunter as good sport and as 
fine venison as the antelope found west of the Mississippi River, and known 
to scientists as the prong-buck or the prong-horned antelope. At one time 
it was common as far west as California and Oregon, but it is now found 
only in the Rocky mountain regions and on the plains between those moun¬ 
tains and the northern section of the Mississippi. It is a graceful, light- 
built animal, standing about two feet ten inches at the shoulder. 
The coloration of the prong-buck is decidedly handsome and striking; 
the general hair of the upper-parts and outer surfaces of the limbs being 
chestnut. The hair on the back of the neck, which is of the general chestnut 
tint, is lengthened into a kind of mane. The face is brownish black; but the 
summit of the head above the eyes, and likewise the ears, cheeks, and chin 
are white. White also prevails on the lower portion of the throat, the under- 
parts, and half of the flanks, and extends upwards to form a large patch on 
the rump which includes the tail. Usually the throat is crossed by three 
russet-yellow bars. The lower portion of the limbs is white. The horns 
are black, save at the tips, where they become yellowish; and their usual 
length is about 12 inches. They are shed once a year. 
The prong-buck or American antelope is shy and timid and can outrun 
the swiftest deer. 
In spite of their extreme speed, prong-buck are but poor jumpers, and 
appear unable to leap over any large object that may be in their path. Their 
inability to leap over high objects may no doubt be attributed to the fact 
that they live upon the plains, where they rarely meet with such obstruc- 
