Page 39 - Albert's Buck Horn Saloon

this animal is very powerfully scented, and is of so bad a flavor water ; at every opportunity it will seek the beloved element,
that none but a hungry Kaffir will eat it, and even he will not resting in it as other animals do on land.
do so until forced by dire hunger. 73.—American bison (Bison Americanus), usually called
68.—The gemsbok was intended by nature to adorn the buffalo. As buffalo he is known everywhere. As buffalo he
parched karroos and arid deserts of South Africa, for which lives, as buffalo he dies, and when, as will soon happen, his race
kind of country it is admirably adapted. Owing to the even has vanished from earth, as buffalo he will live in history and
nature of the ground which the animal frequents, its shy and, tradition. It is a giant among our mammals ; its bulk, shaggy
suspicious disposition, and the extreme distances from water to mane, vicious eyes and sullen behavior give it a ferocious ap-
which it must be followed, it is never stalked nor driven to any pearance, but it is really a mild, inoffensive beast, sluggish and
ambush, like the antelope, but is hunted on horseback and rid- stupid. This senseless obstinacy characterizes the animal, even
den down by a long, severe chase. when it encounters natural obstacles. A herd of 4,000 tried to
69.—The boschbok (Gragelaphus sylvaticus) is upward of cross the South Platte in 1867, when the water was low. The
three feet in height and five in length. It is gracefully yet leaders were soon stuck in the mud, those behind, pressed for-
strongly built. The horns are a foot long, nearly straight and ward by the column, trampled over their struggling compan-
wrinkled at the base. The general color is dark chestnut with ions, and soon the whole bed of the river, nearly a half mile
a white streak along the back, and some white spots about the wide, was filled with dead or dying buffalo.
body. These beasts are generally found in couples, male and 74.—A common goat with unusually long and wide spread
female, although sometimes an old ram leads a hermit life. The of horns.
boschbok is so wary, so rare and so beautiful an animal that 75.—A common domestic goat with extremely large horns.
any man may feel delighted if he can fairly procure one or 76.—A collection of different saloon checks accumulated
two specimens during his sporting career. from all over the United States, making a pretty and attract-
70.—Texas antelope (referred to in No. 12). ive display under glass.
71.—Cape bull buffalo (Bubalus Coffer) is formidable for 77.—The first horn I ever owned, consequently prized very
its enormous strength and terrible aspect. The heavy base highly by me.
of the horns that nearly unite over the forehead and under 78.—A Filipino deer killed by one of our soldiers, and
which the little fierce eyes twinkle with sullen rays give to the placed in this collection with his compliments. The difference
creature's countenance an appearance of morose lowering ill from ours can easily be detected from the growth of horns.
temper which is in perfect accordance with its real character. 79.—Iguana, South American lizard that adorns the collec-
This animal is ever a dangerous neighbor, but when it leads a tion was killed on Mustang Island, Texas. South Americans
solitary life among the thickets it is a worse antagonist to at cook it and consider it a luxury, and among them it is only
casual passerby than even a lion. found on a well spread table.
72.—Bos caraboa or water buffalo. Used in India and the 80.—A white doe deer killed in the Brazos bottoms, Texas,
Philippines as the ox is in the United States. It has such an a number of years ago. It is from the white buck that the
aversion to Europeans that it becomes as ferocious as a bulldog madstone is secured. These white deer are very scarce, and
at their approach. Another peculiarity is its partiality for seldom found.