THE BIGHORN OF THE ROCKIES 23

wander over to the Purcells, but his residence there is
never of long duration, and I have only heard of such a
thing happening on one or two occasions.

The sheep of the Cascades are also locally called “ Big-
horn,” but in my opinion, while they may bear a strong
resemblance to those of the Rockies, and may not have
sufficiently distinct differences.to warrant them being
classed separately, they are of such an inferior type that
they are not worthy of the name of “ Bighorn.” Sucha
fitting title should be reserved to distinguish the grand
monarchs of the Rockies of Canada, who stand in a class
by themselves, not only from those of the Cascades, but
also from all other brown sheep, whether from Wyoming,
California or Mexico, as far as size of horns, weight of
body and value as a trophy are concerned. While brown
sheep are to be found from north of the North Fork of
the Fraser River—their extreme northern limit has not
been positively determined—to as far south as Mexico,
they reach their highest stage of development in the
limestone mountains of that portion of the main range
of the Rockies which lies between the United States
boundary line and the vicinity of the main line of the
Canadian Pacific Railway. The finest trophies ever taken
have come from this area, either on this side of the Rockies
or that in Alberta. The summit of the range divides the
two Provinces, and there you must go if you covet an
exceptionally fine head.

The sheep range on the British Columbia side of the
Rockies is by no means continuous ; in fact, it is only in
spots that it is suitable for this animal; much of it is far
too broken up and precipitous, and only inhabited by
Mountain Goats. This is particularly the case where the
main line of the Canadian Pacific Railway cuts the range ;
from that point there are no sheep for many miles north
and for a short distance south, This statement only
applies to this Province, as on the Alberta side of the line
the sheep range is less divided up.

While the main line of the Canadian Pacific Railway
passes through country where there are no sheep, the Crow’s

TT