“Common about the cliffs, coming down occasionally to the water holes in the valley.  Most of the sheep observed were either solitary or in small bands of three to a dozen.  Only one adult ram was seen, all the others, about thirty, being either ewes or lambs.  The largest bunch seen consisted of eleven, mostly ewes and a few young rams.”  The sheep, as a rule, inhabit the middle line of cliffs where they are safe from attack above and can watch the valley below for danger.  Here about the middle line of cliffs they were observed, and the greater number of tracks and dust wallows, where they spend much of their time, were seen.  A few were seen on the level stretches of the mesas, and a considerable number of tracks, but these were made by those traveling from one line of cliffs to another.

“They are constantly on guard, and very little of their time is given to browsing.  Their usual method is to feed about some high cliffs or rocks, taking an occasional mouthful of brush, and then suddenly throwing up the head and gazing and listening for a long time before again taking food.  They are not alarmed by scent, like deer or antelope, the direction of the wind apparently making no difference in hunting them.  A small bunch of six were observed for a considerable time feeding.  Their method seemed to be much the same as individuals, except that when danger was suspected by any member, he would give a few quick leaps, and all the flock would scamper to some high rock and face about in various directions, no two looking the same way.  These maneuvers were often performed, perhaps once every fifteen minutes.

“Their chief enemy is the mountain lion, which hunts them on the cliffs, apparently never about watering places.  Lion tracks were not rare about the sheep runs.  They are extremely wary about coming down for water, and take every precaution.  Before leaving the cliffs to cross the valley to water they usually select some high ridge and descend along this, gazing constantly at the spring, usually halting ten or more minutes on every prominent rocky point.  When within a hundred yards or less of the water, a long careful search is made, and a great deal of ear-work performed, the head being turned first to one side and then to the other.  When they do at last satisfy themselves, they make a bolt and drink quickly, stopping occasionally to listen and look for danger.

“If, however, they should be surprised at the water they do not flee at once, but gaze for some time at the intruder, and then go a short way and take another look, and so on until at last they break into a steady run for the cliffs.  At least thirty sheep were observed at the water, and none came before 9:30 A.M. or later than 2:30 P.M., most coming down between 12:00 M. and 1:00 P.M.  This habit has probably been established to avoid lions, which are seldom about during the hottest part of the day.  A few ewes were seen with two lambs, but the greater number had only one.  Most of the young appeared about two months old.  Their usual gait was a short gallop, seldom a walk or trot.”