BIG'HORN'. The popular name in the United States of the Rocky Mountain sheep. on account of their immense. semi-spiral, argadi-like horns. These sheep, in one or other of their species. were formerly to be found throughout the whole Rocky Mountain system from New Mexico to the Arctic Circle: and they are still numerous from Montana northward and only less so southward, in the higher ranges. They are gregarious, fond of the highest pastures, wary, and much hunted not merely for sport. hut because the flesh is excellent and the horns make handsome trophies.
"To many American sportsmen and natural ists," remarks William T. Hornaday (Fifth in nual Report Neu, York Zoological Society), "there is no other wild animal on this continent which challenges admiration equal to that be stowed upon the mountain sheep. Unfortunately, it is only those who have made the acquain tance of this animal in life. and upon its own ground, who have a fair conception of . . . the true character of this hardy nanintaineer, in Whose anatomy strength is combines] with agility to zit' extent which is nothing short of marvelous. Its home is the loftiest rim-roek of the high mountain plateaus. or the most rugged and for bidding Badlands of the middle altitudes. In summer its favorite pastures are the treeless slopes above timber-line, and in winter it paws through the snow of the mountain meadows to reach the tallest spears of grass. . . All the year round this animal is both well-fed and well •lad, and its savory flesh invites constant pur suit, and attack from the mountain lion and hunters both white and red. Unlike its dull witted neighbor. the mountain goat, the moun tain sheep is wide-eyed and wary, and difficult to approach." The best-known species is the common bighorn (iris cerrina), which is very stoutly built, stands about 40 inches high at the shoulder, is grayish-brown, with the face ashy, a dark line along the spine, and the under parts and eon spieuous 'caudal disk' on the buttocks whitish.
The horns of the rain are massive, thick and keeled on the outer edge, springing backward and then downward in a majestic sweep. and measuring 42 inches in largest specimens around the curve; those of the ewe are short and ribbed. It dwells in bands sometimes containing fifty or more of all ages throughout all the high moun tains from the Dakota Badlands to Arizona, California, and northern British Columbia. A smaller and paler variety. inhabiting the central basin, is called Nelson's bighorn. A second species is Stone's bighorn, lately found in north ern British Columbia, which is larger, and has comparatively slender, pale-brown outward-curv ing horns; its general color is a blackish-brown grizzle, with the spinal stripe, throat, chest, sides, buttocks, and tail and hoofs almost black. Another species belongs to the mountains of Central Alaska, north of 60°, named Oris Datil, which is altogether white, in winter perfectly free from the few brownish hairs that may ap pear in its summer coat. The horns are of mod erate size, and of a clear amber color. A fourth species, also Alaskan, has been described as ()els Fanaini, and resembles Hall's sheep, except that the body is brownish-gray, leaving the head. neck, breast, belly, and rump white. See Plate of WILD SHEEP, ETC.
Consult : Mayer ),Sport rri t lr (ha and lion (New York, 1883) : Roosevelt, Hunting Trips of a Ranehman (ib., 1883) ; Baillie-Grohman. Camps in the norhies (London. 1882) : Pifteen rears' sport and Life in Western _interim (ib.. 1900).