New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-01-29
THE BUFFALO EEARLF GONE.
PLENTY OF SKELETONS On THE PLAINS
MR.. RICHARDSON'S PLAN FOB PREVENTING THE Ex-
TINCrION OF THE BISON.

Mr. RICHARDSON'S PLAN FOB PREVENTING TIE Ex-
TINCrIoN OF THE BISON.
The groups OF native birds which Taxidermist
Richardson prepared for the Museum Of Natural HIS
tory at IFS opening last spring win addition Of
great interest next spring Mr.. Richardson is busy
now preparing the several hundred specimens Of birds
and mammals which secured in his recent expe
dillon to the Northwest. The collection of deer and
antelope which werc secured especially large and
complete, and Mr.. Richardson proposes to prepare a
family group Of antelope in the In which
the bird groups presented
To bring tia about . section Of the prairie with
wild grasses and flowers viii have TO be reproduced
and the antelope family viii appear transported
bodily with patch Of their native country into the
Museum. At present the material for this restoration
consists Of heap Of skins and bones but with tho
aid Of photographs Of the animals taken while they
stu Wild and free, and his notebook Of observa-
tions Mr. Richardson expects TO prepare the group In
lfelke 4 semblance that IL will pass the criticism
of an Indian hunter.
His notebook Is even of more importance than the
photographs. BY turning to the date when
tcope killed outline sketch Of the surroundings
in Ink has preserved the picture, and all the plants
and shrubs which grew upon the spot are recalled to
tho mind. In the same manner group Of bufaloes
will be treated and arranged for the Museum Al
though not a single live buffalo was seen by Mr..
Richardson In his trip, extending two months In
portion Of Montana where only five years ago q
herd of 10000 ranging yet he able to secure
ten complete skeletons and several good skins.
Some idea of the labor of this search be obtained
from the fact that these skeletons were obtained
from about $50 which bleaching ths
plains, the relics of the mighty herds which once
roamed there. 1t was still difficult 10 get good
buffalo skins.
COLLECTING SKINS ON THE PLAINS.
"we stopped at the ranch of young man, said
Mr. Richardson, who had the skins Of three bufaoes
which he had shot the year before. He wanted S65
apiece for the skins Being something of naturalist
he had determined to mount them himself, and IN this
condition he expected TO get good price for them
But he had removed the skins in a that would
have prevented any one but expert taxidermSt from
mounting them. l the fact at glance, and told
him that the skins would be of for his purpose
He had probably realized this himself for Just as we
were going away he came 10 me and said: 4 VIII
let you have a choice of the skins at your own price,
If you viii give me in addition some points on
mounting the Others got fair skin for 3d. and
the young rode with me about twenty miles over
the country while 1 gave him the instruction he
deslred.7
There is no question in Mr. Richardson's opinion
that tho buffalo IS well-nigh extinct on the
plains. There few in Yellowstone Park pro-
tected by the Government, but they likely to be
killed at any time. In Texas herd of about thirty IS
may bo found, but the days when they rambled at
largo over the country have been numbered. Unless
some Of protecting them IS adopted within ten
years the American Bison must become an extinct
species IL Central Park Director COnkn has several
specimens of buffalo, but the COW IS growing old aud
another has not been secured The buffalo Will
rot breed in captivity unless like other domestic ant
mails # has abundant for feeding and exercise
In Central Park the animals are confined in narrow
stalls because the space the disposal Of tue manager
is cramped.
There Is practical solution of the buffalo question:
Nr Richardson thinks, which, If adopted at onee may
prevent the extinction Of the animal. The bufaoes
easily aud If accustomed from birth 70
domestic surroundings, they become quite easy to
control as ordinary domestic cattle. In the North
west, where the winters are long and the Thermometer
sinks below at the slightest proyocation, buffalo
suUss without any discomfort, while the winters there
are gene ally fatal domestic cattle unless housed
and looked after with the greatest care.
SCHEME 10 DoMEsIIc..TTE THE BISON
81 In Manitoba ssrn Mr.. Richardson, there is
a.s. o a",luf Ai;y bunaloss owned BY 5. L. Bedson
Ernest Z Thompson, who IS assisting me in the
Museum has written an interesting account of them
IN 4 rccea. ra1lpnet on the Mammals of Manitoba
portion herd are haif-Oreeds, crossed with
common cattle another portion equartes bred,
and the rest pure blood Ii may 10 a question
wActLcr the pure breed viii continue Itself, UuL IL
certalniy 10 maintained II looked alter Ihis
from i've buffalo caves,
some Indians nom Winnipeg in 1875. IL requires
10 Ond nat Is necessary 10 Aeep the dlHeIenJ
animals from wandering Or being stolen or SHOT
lie bun aIUcs hardy as In thef Wild state.
Mr. Thompson saw them late In January last year,
when they we're able 10 dig down IN the snow anu
find grass enough To Keep them fat during blizzard
they would l5 down IN group with their backs To
tine wind and let the snow drift over them The
and their woody coats Kept them perfectly
comfortable. In January, 1854, one OF the COWS
caIyed in the open prairie, where the thermometer
resste degrees reoW Zero and both COW and caf
and not appear 10 suffer-
f. seems TO NE hat this important question fol
the farmers oil the Northwest and the National Gov
eminent ought tahe measures Tor the eucOula age
pent Of the raising Of buffalo stock An ordinary
cOwhidc IS worth -, but it Is useless dS robe,
While average buffalo hide Is worth $40, and as
robe is almost iuds pensauie in the Northern climate
The buffalo sheds It's woody hair once year ms WOOL
IS easily gathered and 1t WORKS up Well INTO coarse
warn. one animal VIII yield ten 10 twelve pounds OF
Al time there were iaftOIseS lOf inc
mauufactnre uf buffalo wool. but they have disap-
reared with the buffalo Tie wool of the hybrid
animal becomes darker and inner, ana tho DuIaio
hump dis appears In tho mixed breed The animal
hood and IS a better mixer than the pure buffalo.
This crUss breeding affords a wide opportunity Tor
| stock raisers."
In addition 10 the antelope and deer Mr. Richard
son secured large number Of specimens OF the coyote
and Of The gray wolf, which IS also disappearing;
great many OF the species of field mice. the beaver
whole wa entirely successful lis expenses were de
frayed by Morris X Jesup. president OF the Musenh
and Mr.. Richardson was accompanied by ID 6. EIiiot,
the Museum will for It's own use the duplicates
Will be OF value IN exchanging with other institutions
The elk, and tho Rocky Mountain goat and sheep are
which the Museum IS now whont These species
also disappearing as civilization nils up the broad
West and f. hoped that trip may be made another
year to secure groups OF these animals from their
native wildS.
A CANINE CONSCIENCE.