A Morning Among Moose. 107 



not unlike the cry of a horse in pain or anger, but less loud and strong. 

 Indeed the sound was ludicrously weak and shrill for a quadruped of 

 such large dimensions. This feeble, ill-natured cry resembled strongly 

 the weak cry of the monstrous rhinocerous, the voice of which is so ill- 

 proportioned to the animal's size. 



It was interesting to note that our departure was watched with the 

 utmost keenness and suspicion by the moose. They followed us with 

 ears and eyes, turning round when necessary to observe our movements 

 as we hurried away. It was an impressive spectacle to see in the dis- 

 tance the two massive captives standing in their leafy retreat, the pale 

 grey horns of the bull rising majestically amongst the branches. 



Cases of tame moose are familiar enough in Canada : but it is a 

 rare experience, except to the hunter, to see a herd of moose under 

 conditions so resembling the wild state. One gained some notion of 

 their appearance in the forest. One sad reflection only could not be 

 avoided, arising from the probability that in spite of laudable steps to 

 preserve these noble monarchs o/ cur Canadian forests, the cruelty ar.d 

 barbarity of man is almost certain ere long to exterminate them. Not 

 merely pot-hunters, who slay the helpless mother-moose just before and 

 after bearing her young, but professed sportsmen, have no mercy. 

 Their relentless efforts may ere long deprive our Dominion of the 

 moose in our forests as they have already robbed us of the royal 

 buffalo on our prairies, unless severe and righteous measures be effec- 

 tively carried out. 





