Omaha daily bee., 1907-02-09

bison. the cross with domestic cattle.
The western herds have been sometimes
allowed. sometimes made, to cross with do
nestle cattle. The younger animals in these
herds are therefore, in most cases likely to
be OF impure race. The proportion Of pure
blooded buffalo in these herds is constantly
decreasing.
Such are the conditions making for the
final humiliation OF the species today. ac-
cording to Ernest Harold Baynes. who is
lighting to give the bison a chance for his
life.
Only eighteen true wild buffalo remain in
this country today-those in the Yellowstone
park. OF captive animals there are still a
number left. mostly those taken before
the end of the great killing and their on
spring But these are all exposed to one
danger or another.
Hybrids Breed on Ranches.
The ranch buffaloes breed hybrids. 1t has
become hard to get pure blooded animal
from the ranches. The confined animals
kept In menageries and private shows. II
pure, do not breed well. They breed. but
deteriorate. Small bones. short legs, loose
tendons and large bellies mark the second
aud third generation.
| The parked buffaloes are the best of.
Private herds are permitted to range at
large over private preserves. Several such
| private herds stin exist-wealthy peoples
/ fancies.
] Well parked. as the Corbin herd in New
Hampshire and the Whitney herd on Octo-
Der mountain. the animals really thrive;
| they breed regularly and grow hardy. well
! formed young. The future of the parked
/ private herds Is precarious. though. be
cause they are private Their existence de-
ponds upon the fancy OF individuals.
The owner may tire OF his pets OF his
heirs may not be inclined TO maintain them
! on valuable lands. Their future is uncer-
tain. These are the conditions that have
| made Il seem necessary TO Mr.. Baynes and
his associates TO insure preservation by
surer means. They believe that the state
or the national government should provide
this means.
One OF the earliest supporters of the move
ment was President. Roosevelt. He lent
to the organization OF the buffalo reserv-
ers. the American Bison society. his nams
as honorary president. w. r. Horaaday OF
the New York Geological park, Prof. ID. S
Jordan OF Leland Stanford university. DIT
r. s. Palmer OF the biological survey. Git
ford Pinchot and Prof f. W. Hooper Of
the Brooklyn institute are interested in the
movement
Experience of an Enthusiast.
Mr. Baynes has been busy raising popu
lar interest in the scheme. He believes
that besides the usual method OF lectures
pictures and writing he has found an orig
lnal way. He has enlisted the help Of th'
buffaloes themselves
He secured access 20 the cOrbin herd ana
borrowed two likely young bull calves
After a year Of training these were driver
IN team with reins and bit az shows anS
exhibitions in New England last summer.
The bison calf wants 10 Fight about al
hour after he Is born. Training Mr.
Bayne's bison team Was no easy matter
Nobody but a naturalist and student OF ami
mails. perhaps. could have done Il as h
did.
1fr. Baynes was a Splinter Of some form
IN college days. That also helped. Som
Of the nrst lessons consisted OF sessions Il
which the team-to-be chased him abou
The lot The calves had been taken Onl'