The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1942-01-01

sions as to why the sheep did not
increase more rapidly in number.
The report, however, contained
much other material of interest. :
In speaking of the bedding habits
of the sheep Mr.. Brink further says:
During the summer on clear
warm days the flocks leave their
beds before sunup and feed during
the early morning hours. Usually
by 10 a, m. all are bedded down
on some rocky background. During
this siesta 1t is rare that all in
dividuals of flock are inactive for
more than few minutes at a time.
One or more animals are usually
up stretching or nibbling at some
forage. As the cool hours OF even
ing come on, the bighorns begin
the second feeding period. BY dark
they have sought bedground
where they can spend the night
AS the days draw shorter these mid
day bedding periods grow shorter
and nightly bedding periods longer.
On cloudy days In winter they may
be seen feeding at any time during
the day"
Speaking OF the breeding habits
Mr.. Brink reports.
Based on the observation OF q
single season, 1t is apparent that the
lack of increase of this band OF
bighorns is not due to unsuccessful
breeding From time to time con-
siderable variance Of opinion has
been expressed regarding the twin
ming of lambs in bighorn sheep
= Mr.. Frank Bolles, forest EN-
ployee, states that in early Septem-
Der, 1887, he observed four adult
ewes, each with twins"
Young Lambs Strong
Mr.. Brink states that lambs de-
velop rapidly. A lamb scarcely "a
hours old was seen following its
mother over a rough terrain at a
pace difficult for man to maintain,
said MIR. Brink. AT anotfrrr time
eve had young Underestimate
three days -eld-felloWing her.
When the band saw the observer,
It took flight UP nearly perpen-
dicular wall" reports Mr.. Brink
THE small lamb had difficulty fol-
lowing, and was seen to Stumble
several times and fall from small
Lodges twice This lambs mother
led the band up the smooth face
OF rather steep cliff but the tiny
lamb missed its footing and fell
four or five feet. 1t was uninjured,
however. Having seen that her
lamb could not follow, she TOOK an
ether route Of escape. In one hour
the band had descended into pre-
clpitous canyon three or four hun
dred feet deep, and climbed to
higher point on the opposite side.
The young lamb still followed. This
iaunt would have taken man at
least an hour and a half.
Mr. Brink further says in his re-
port:
One of the most striking char
acteristics Of bighorn sheep is their
habit of maintaining distinct bands
with reference to their sex and age.
Throughout the year, except dur
ing breeding season, the mature
rams run in bands by themselves.
while the ewes and al young stock
maintain bands of their own kind
The bands Of mature rams usually
occupy unit of range higher than
the ewe-lamb flocks and seldom
come near until late autumn. The
size of these bachelor groups gen
orally range from to IL animals,
but there may be as many as ~ in
group.
"All the young stock remain with
the mature ewes in bands similar
in size to those Of the rams. As the
young. rams reach breeding age g.
4 yearsl they break away from the
eve bands and join the mature
rams.
Old Eve Leads Band
.Annther- rather rigid trait Of the
bighorn is that each band has az
leader. In ewe-lamb bands the lead
or is nearly always an old eve.
while IN the ram flocks this Job
must fall to one Of the older rams.
re