New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-01-30
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
,DGE,s PLAINS OF THE GREAT WEST.

The materials for this interesting volume were ob-
tanned from the personal experience OF the author
during many years OF military service among the
savage tribes Western frontier. In preparing
hi work he has abstained from reference to pre-
vious authorities, writing from his own point OF
view, and presenting simple report OF the results
of actual observation His descriptions evince an
alert and vgilant mind, ordinary powers OF per-
ccption and gift of expression. which though not
beraylno high degree of literary training. Is equal
to the production of an exciting and effective mar
ratiye Col Dodge has been ardent sportsman as
well as an experienced soldier, and his eontribu-
tons to the history of American game animals wiii
be regarded by many readers as tho most valuable
portion of the present work.
TheibuiIao, though described as the typical AMI
nal of the Plains in the opinion of the author. can
not properly be classed under the head OF game on
account of the moderate degree of skill required for
his pursuit and capture. His appearance gives the
impression of ferocity entirely foreign to his nature
Dangerous as he looks, he is mild, unid creature,
rarely attacking but in the last effort of selfdefense
He is the most unwiedy, sluggish and stupid OF all
the beasts of the Plains and if not alarmed at the
sight of foe, will stand gazing at his companions
IN their death throes until the whole herd IL shot
down. According to Col. Dodge, the habits OF the
buffalo are almost identical with those OF domestic
cattle.
Owing either TO q paaifc disposition, or To a
greater number OF bulls there is very little fighting even
among them for days have watched their conduct Tor
hour at time and WITH sGe Vs SEEN p, eoS n
tween bulls They frequently strike eaeh other WIN
Fac small herds. which have spoken as comprising
herd have each generally more OuIls thdl
cows. seemingly all ON the very best terms WIN each
The old bulls DO undoubtedly leave Che herd and
wander off advance or rear guards or fankeTs out
am disposed believe this 10 be dne to Inisannrope
TO whom female cOmpanonship 90 ionger . s rus s
charm, rather than TO tncr 4eng dil'eii o"' '' u"
younger bulls as is GENERALLY believed numerous
herds seems tobc an instructive act probably for
perfect mutual protection II has been Thought sad ana
conriGnify-thG baIem and rctaincrs of specially
powerful bull who Keeps proper order ana tt T6
f fr The Domination OF poser Of sexual appetite or
idTidua preferences but Is most undoubtedly entirely
accidental IS 90 lis indy dual componens ,,oa
have, unobscrycd carefully wac1ed herds whlie iec
ins. have two or more small nerds merge IHo
one or larger herd separate into two OF more TINS
s. done quietly, gradually and as II were aernct.2 NJ
the act feeding, each buffalo scenina only intent on
calves are always the center, the bull on the outside
When the feeding herds approach each oeI ana nSrse
gradual as scarcely to be noccableis that the bulls ON
The df o. e" Sr o ac@sc the wGoc and when
herd breaks by The same gradual process INTO
when pursued he herds rush together in one compact,
pluneng Az soon rs the pursuit IS oyer ana me
buffalo sufficiently recovered IRON thelr tlgnt TO ne
fpc0
deach themselves Ivy breaking INTO small htrus dtI te
whole large herd IL in the normal condition. II each
dominant bull had on such occasions 20 run ti'cuSh 'hJ
whole great herd look up his lost wives, children, ana
dependents, his Life would not only be very unhappy
Tie want Of excitement in tie chase of buffalo,
referred TO by the author applies only TO hunting on
foot the usual method Of approaching game which
is pc taken with firearms. The pursuit OF bnifao
OF horseback is very different thing and to the I'M
practced sportsman, of intense interest. buffalo
,bo hir1ls ia II IS
horse but what he lacks in speed he makes up i'll
bottom and in surprising vitality.
herd will stand staring at an aRF0ar tS:b Scn 10
move OF slowly, and when lac is within about 100 YARDS
IL will probably break INTO gaiiop rms If thc sOts-
mans moment A good horse ridden by man VINO
knows his business VIII be among them before they have
gone 200 yards shoot and slaughter at ms Ec>ne.
poor hoIsc careful rider ana nc Euh'eI WIN nn 10
M sorrow that stern 6 e6aSt IS d "g ,a chase h,G
lctd is not oYcrAcn ~ 900 OF tVu ya'S G oV L ,
horse. The dcu!ty in this hInlS is that the nero Is
ful a.R; the explosion Of the pistol creates turmoil
confusion, and change OF places aliodS inc hSl AM
individual bulao than once and their vitality IS
So great mat II is an exceedingly rare exception "ieo
Clr t. brought down l'y IA single sH0t. $500,
TAr danger is not so much from me buffalo when
;au hat net.er man nor horse tie ground,
whicE may be roueA and broken or peiIor%,ca wiI
ll.. dJs gopher ho''s Inns aagI 80 i ~
iaj WHO into herd OF 0ufGo may De SAID 70
Thaye never known MIN hurt by bnfllo IN such q
cirsc. have Known Of at least SIX killed ana q very
tac,r horses falling with them.
The knowledge OF the danger, the rush OF the horse,
the thundcrirg tread OF flying Dr1ics the turmoil,
TIE Cu tne nceithi!' aud aDGvC az i. nc.t Pt'n
unity and !crOcUGS ASPECT OF the numbering tLIOnS Iur-
Ish ccjGcat ugh 10 set Wild the mnl VINO Is new
lou Ih,rr. Is, hncve: SImentss about it winc soon
Xr,y GOOD "a, for an "scssiona dyer frequent
edition. Ike ealing daai On 'oIss cfsty Gay no,
however arJct for tits especial sport whS neE TO IL,
two VIII dali Inc edge ot the AeehcSt a-
petite.
The authors descriptive sketches Of several of the
more i'm portant animals of the plains, are free from
technical terms. and for the most part are written
with a freshness and vivacty which gives them not
a litiic interest graphic compositions we take
rs a s,nciincn his portTaituTe OF tho antelope
Trc ateope the smallest OF the larger game ami
Ia!s PLANE averaging, Wht'i Cfcsae' st'IctY
ft, pounds head the male Is armed VITA norris
from Ia fourteen inches ~ cngih aiid though Ney
considerably larger, az the same character as lie
horns o the cainOs Al ;bou! VI 10 '.'
Inca, tired iiOm the past tie morn DccVn.ts sOhc"idJ
Animated, and short prong bncCcs or sV4hS 10 thc
HuiIna, H. name prong EOin Inc ups are Deht III
wa.u-a fortunate hGHi-"l as lhse lI .i.Iifis aie
very .os. aud, the horns straight, ter
cois woui frequently result in death AS II Is the
seriously hut each Olher al" bc l6u cO,siSts
in siu trial Iu.hin TheF DO not buit IKE sheep,
roi siac liz- goats, bat putting then heads together
each cunbGtnt posses VITA AL ils might The weaker
gr.diiiy sycs ground until finding himself OVeInacled
-, H., 2e or !.,rchs rs mos decidedly acceieraice
speed md puts az end 20 The combat
.uu. tiicsc apparently OF the same growth
g. ,,- If cattle or goats thc antelope nevertheless
sncI- item every year The hOni ith, ana Is not
wholly sued tac Elk deer morn, bat inc bard, horny
ehell "a The Vith ju>t Tie sac comes Oh the
Iu0,e ibc .oyc retiics solitude the shell
dr..., 81, .,.fI- El0;l. WHO, h,shy substance,
toward if- tL aud thc growth ~ winch evidently ais
lIi-!., Oh Ac So L. TINS pth grows VIVA "JhGtlIl!
saiy tecDlcs .L3t larger tam tue Cd EoII,
az. ~, OUTSIDE in'O hurry shell Tho whoc
Iio'res f-- % bui IT," 81 III &c ''~t-'