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American Prong-Horn
Also called: Antelope, Prong-buck.
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Length.—4 feet, 6 inches. Height at shoulder, 2 feet, 10 inches.
Description.—Horns hollow, like those of the cattle, but regularly deciduous, like the antlers of the deer, and forked. The two small rudimentary hoofs, usually seen in ruminant animals behind and above the large pair, are entirely absent. Muzzle covered with hair except a narrow line down the middle, eyes very large and a short mane on the back of the neck. Colour above light yellowish-brown, throat, neck and underparts white; forehead, nose and spot below the ear dark brown, sides of the head, spot behind the ear and triangular patch on the shoulder joining the throat white.
Range.—Saskatchewan to Mexico; Missouri River to the Rocky Mountains, and the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Washington.
The prong-horn or prong-buck is to be found in diminished numbers from the Missouri River to the Pacific and southward into Mexico. They are roving creatures, their movements being largely determined by the weather and the comparative abundance or scarcity of water and pasturage. In winter they seek sheltered valleys among the hills and, as spring comes on, the females separate from the rest of the herd and give birth to their kids, usually two in number. These they keep in hiding and watch jealously for a fortnight. At the end of a short time they are strong and reliant on their legs and capable of following their mothers wherever they go.
The herd now wanders out over the open plains and low rolling foot-hills, where the wide free outlook makes it possible for them to detect danger at an immense distance. When alarmed, they crowd together and dash away like the wind and, being easily the swiftest runners on the continent, are in little danger of being overtaken. Their innate curiosity, however, often gets them into trouble. A handkerchief on the end of a stick, or anything, in fact, that excites their curious interest, will frequently draw them within gunshot, unless they manage to get the wind of their enemy, when, scenting danger, they are off and away.
During the summer months the old bucks live apart from the females and their families; towards autumn, however, they become more sociable and friendly, and join their mates once more, the herds constantly increasing in size until November.
In defending their kids the females use their sharp hoofs with savage effectiveness, striking a quick downward blow with their forefeet that might easily disable a wolf that came too close. It is said that they will cut a rattlesnake to pieces before he has a chance to strike.
Like other distinctively Western animals, the antelope attracted much attention from Audubon on his famous expedition up the Missouri, and all its peculiarities of habit were carefully observed. In his account of the species he says:
"Observe now a flock of these beautiful animals; they are not afraid of man--they pause in their rapid course to gaze on the hunter, and stand with heads erect, their ears as well as eyes directed toward him, and make a loud noise by stamping with their forefeet on the hard earth; but suddenly they become aware that he is no friend of theirs, and away they bound like a flock of frightened sheep--but far more swiftly, even the kids running with extraordinary speed by the side of their parents--and now they turn around a steep hill and disappear, then perhaps come in view, and once more stand and gaze at the intruder."
The wonderful watchfulness of the antelope is due naturally to its continual exposure in the open country in which it lives and the necessity of being ever prepared to get a clear start of the wolves or such other enemies as may harass it, against which flight is its only safeguard.