The Hillsborough recorder., 1874-10-14
THE WILD SHEEP On CALIFORNIA.

is ! Il = : s Z. fs4 4s4s5#a
I have been greatly interested 10 study
ing their habits during the last foul. YEAR,.
while engaged 10 the work of exploring
these high regions. In spring and sum
mer, the males form separate bands.
They are usually met in small hocks. num-
bering from three to twenty. feeding along
the edges Of glacier meadows or. resting a.
mong the castle like crsgs Of lofty SUM-
n,its,, and Rhether feeding OF resting. or
sealing wild cliffs for pleasure, rtheir noblo
forms, the very embodiment Uf muscular
beauty never fail To strike the beholder
with liseliest admiration. THEIR resting
places seem to be chosen. with reference TO
sunshine aud wide outlook. and, most Of
all safety from the attacks Of wolves.
Their feeding grounds are among the most
beautiful of the wild Sierra gardens.
bright with daisies and gentians and mats
Of blooming shrubs. 8,
These are hidden away high on the
sides Of rough canons, where light iss-
bundant, or down in The valleys, along
lake borders and s:ream banks. where the
plushy turf il greenest and the purple
heather grows. Sweet grasses also grow in
these happy Alpine gardens, but the Wild
sheep eats little besides the, spicy leaves
and shoots Of the various shrubs and bushf
es, perhaps relishing both their taste and
beauty, although tame men are slow to sE-
pect wild sheep Of seeing more than grass.
When winter storms fall, decking their
summer pastures in the lavish bloom Of
snow. then. like blue birds and robins, our
brave sheep gather and 60 to warmer cli-
mates. usually descendingt the eastern flank
of the range to the narrow birch-flled gor-}
ges that open into the sage plains ! where
snow never falls to any great depth. the
elevation above the sea being about from
5000 to 1000 feet. Here they soiotrn
until spring sunshine unlocks the canops
and warns the pastures Of their glorious
Alps. s.. -
In the months Of june and July they
bring forth their young, in the most solita-
ry and inaccessible crags, Car above tho
nest of the eagle. have frequently come
upon the beds Of the ewes and lambs atau
elevation Of from $4,000 70 1900 feet a
bove sra level. These beds consist simply
ofau OWL shaped hollow. paved out among
loose disintegratin9 rock chips and sand,
upon some sunny spot teommandinga good
outlook. and partially sheltered from the
winds that sweep pasSionately across those
lofty crags almost without intermissiOn.
Such is the cradle OF the little mountain
eer, aloft in the, sky, rocked in storms,
cnrrained u clouds. sleeping in thin, icy
air; but. wrapped in his hairy coat. hour-
ished BY warm. strong mother, defended
from'the talous Of the eagle and teeth Of
thesly cayote. tbs bonnie lamb growsf-
pace. Hs learns 70 nibble the purple
daisy and leaves Of the white spirna, his
horns begin TO shoot, and ere summer is
done he 4 strong and agile. and goes forth
witilthe feeks sbererded BY the same d.
vine love that tenisstbe more hopeless bu-
man lamb, in its wnrm cradle .ty the fre-
side. 0esflaad Monthly.
Pa. what becomes Of dogs when they
diei. They 60 to the happy land Of canine.
my scn fst efE
:, Why is son who objects to his mothers
second marriage like au exhausted. pedes-
train? Because be cant go step-fasher.
An iowa editor recently announced that
acertain patron cf bis was .tl.ierine as
usual lie claims hat he wrote .thri-
sing.
aMy dear bog. said fond aunt 10 q
very fast living nephew; don't you fnow
thst IN leading this irregulsr lie YOU are
shortening your daysl' IT'S quite nos.
siblc that Imay be shortening my days.
but then now lcugthen my nights was
the cool reply,
The proaerb. that sGod he,ps those Who
help themselses was we'll paraphased by
slitils fsllov nho tambled intoa fountain
and was nearly drowned. Pale and drip-
pinxs he was pat 10 bed and when bis
mother teldshim 10 thsnk God Cor savin-
hima Youne America answered. -. [
s'pse God didsaFe me. but then I hsll On
70 Che grassltoo. ga sssH f
Briefcoifoquy IN Texas between 4 tourist
anda native:-s Ny friend why \ II every-
body IN this country think Il necessary 70
curry oncertworevoIvcrs: wei stranger.
said the Texan. you mought travel a
rounl here good long time and not want
. weapon, but WHOM you do want q pistol
in tbs conuuy YOU want II bad.
This Is the way aeolored preacher at
Richmondarfanged his hearers Cor mutual
cnyeniences. IL fore part ID dschmrch
wiIl piense itdown 20 De hind part d, a.
church eau seesles fore part. lorde hind
Part can't zee De fore part persist IN stain
before ehind par. 10 de stIss sxcluslon
Of dc hind paft by ds fore part
A professional man not hu from ssalo
street, Boston, returning hhlis office one
day, after substantial lunch, salil COM
placently 70 assistant, Mr. Pcrtkin, the
,wnfld looks different. toa man when hS
lliRsthrce inches OF rum in him5 YES
replied the Junior, without a IN, aens :