Page:The Extermination of the American Bison.djvu/126

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462
REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1887.

creature as ever trod the soil of Kansas on four legs. He is just six years old and is a perfect specimen of the kings of the plains. There is royal blood in his veins, and his coat is filler than the imperial purple. It is not possible to get at him to measure bis stature and weight. He must weigh fully 3,000 pounds, and it is doubtful if there is to day living on the face of the earth a handsomer buffalo bull than he. “Cleveland's" disposition is not so ugly as old Barney's was, but at certain seasons he is very wild, and there is no one venturesome enough to go into the inclosure. It is then not altogether safe to even look over the high and heary board fence at him, for he is likely to make a run for the visitor, as the numerous holes in the fence where he has knocked off the boards will testify."

Herd of Jr. Frederick Dupree, Cheyenne Indian Agency, near Fort Bennett, Dakota. — This herd contains at present nine pure-blood buffaloes, five of which are cows and seven mixed bloods. Of the former, there are two adult bulls and four adult cows. Of the mixed blood animals, sis are half-breeds and one a quarter-breed buffalo.

Mr. Dupree obtained the nucleus of his herd in 1882, at which time he captured five wild calves about 100 miles west of Fort Bennett. Of these, two died after two months of captivity and a third was killed by an Indian in 1885.

Mr. D. F. Carlin, of the Indian service, at Fort Bennett, has kindly furnished me the following information respecting this herd, under date of November 1, 1888:

"The animals composing this herd are all in fine condition and are quite tame. They keep by temselves most of the time, except the oldest bull (sis years old), who seems to appreciate the company of domestic cattle more than that of his own family. Mr. Dupree has kept one half-breed bull as an experiment; he thinks it will produce a hardy class of cattle. His half-breeds are all black, with one exception, and that is a roan; but they are all built like the buffalo, and when young they grunt more like a log than like a calf, the same as a full-blood buffalo.

"Mr. Dupree has never lost a ſdomestic) cow in giving birth to a halfbreed calf, as was supposed by many people would be the case. There hare been no sales from this herd, although the owner has a standing offer of $650 for a cow and bull. The cows are not for sale at any price.

Herd at Lincoln Park, Chicago, Hr. W. P. Walker, superintendent. — This very interesting and handsomely-kept herd is composed of seven individuals of the following character: One bull eight years old, one bull four years old, two cows eight years old, two cows two years old in the spring of 1888, and one calf born in the spring of 1888.

Zoological Gardens, Cincinnati, Ohio. — This collection contains four bison, an adult bull and cow, and one immature specimen.

Dr. V. T. McGillicuddy, Rapid City, Dakota, has a herd of four pure buffaloes and one half-breed. Of the former, the two adults, a bull and