FAMILY CERVID.E. 117 



In winter, the moose herd together for mutual protection, selecting hilly woods, and feeding 

 exclusively on young twigs and the moss and bark of trees. These herds consist of a bull, a 

 cow and two calves ; sometimes four or five cows, but this is more rare. Occasionally several 

 of these herds unite, and when the snow lies deep, they will tread down a space of several 

 acres, which are termed by the hunters moose-yards. At this season, and in such situations, 

 the hunter attacks them most successfully. 



They are yet numerous in the unsettled portions of the State, in the counties of Essex, 

 Herkimer, Hamilton, Franklin, Lewis and Warren ; and since the gradual removal of the 

 Indians, they are now (1841) believed to be on the increase. They have been extirpated from 

 Massachusetts, but are still found in Maine, Vermont and New-Hampshire. Godman has 

 erroneously stated that they are not known south of Maine ; and this error has been magnified 

 by subsequent copyists, who assert that it is not found in the State of Maine. It existed for- 

 merly much nearer the Atlantic coast ; for we learn from Dunlap, that a pair of moose were 

 once sent from Fisher's Island to England. 



The Moose is a timid, wary animal ; and its senses of hearing and smelling are so acute, 

 that it requires the greatest caution on the part of the hunter to approach it. During an expe- 

 dition of several weeks through the counties of Hamilton, Franklin and Essex, although their 

 tracks were almost daily visible, yet we never had an opportunity of shooting a single indi- 

 vidual. A specimen was sent to me from Lewis county, but unfortunately never reached its 

 destination. 



The moose furnishes an excellent material from its hide for moccasins and snow-shoes. 

 The best skin is obtained from the bull moose in October, and usually sells for four dollars. 

 They were formerly so numerous about Raquet lake, that the Indians and French Canadians 

 resorted thither to obtain their hides for this purpose ; and hence we have the origin of the 

 name of that lake, the word raquet meaning snow-shoes. They still exist in its neighborhood. 



The moose, when pursued, trots off with great rapidity, but in an awkward manner, its 

 hoofs at the same time making a cracking noise. At this gait it soon leaves the hunter far 

 behind, stepping with great ease over fallen timber of the largest size. When hard pressed 

 by the hunters on snow-shoes, if it breaks up into a gallop, they are sure of overtaking it soon. 

 Its flesh is much esteemed, and the meat of the young can scarcely be distinguished from the 

 best veal. The nose and tongue are particularly considered great dainties. The moose, 

 when taken young, is easily domesticated, and has been used in this State for draught. I am 

 not aware, however, that they possess any advantage for such purposes over our common beasts 

 of burden ; and their preference for twigs and bark of trees, instead of grasses, would render 

 them not very desirable to the farmer who cared for the growth of his plantation. 



The Moose inhabits the northern parts of both continents. In America, they range to the 

 Arctic Sea ; and I am enabled to state, from personal knowledge, that their extreme southern 

 limit along the Atlantic coast is 43° 30' in the State of New-York. 



