GROUPS OF MAMMALS. 247 



bog 1 , which is growing full of a gigantic species of grayish 

 moss, peculiar to that locality. The time represented is the 

 middle of autumn. The few leaves that remain on the maple 

 saplings have been painted with October's most gorgeous tints 

 of crimson and yellow, mixed with green, and the leaves of the 

 white birch have turned pale yellow. The ground is plentifully 

 strewn with leaves of bright tints, through which the green 

 moss of moist banks shows in patches here and there. 



Of the animals, the three largest and huge beasts they are, 

 truly are feeding upon the birch twigs. A yearling calf is 

 licking the head of a tiny brown-coated younger brother, while 

 a two-year-old bull is in the act of " riding down " a stout birch 

 sapling in order to get at the branches of its top, which would 

 otherwise be beyond his reach. 



Three of these fine specimens were collected by Colonel Cecil 

 Clay, of Washington, and by him presented to the Museum for 

 this group, together with the trees, moss, and other accessories, 

 which he collected with infinite labor and care in the moose 

 woods. He also furnished us with field notes and critical ad- 

 vice throughout, which had much to do in making the group 

 what it is a monument to Colonel Clay's skill and prowess as 

 a sportsman, and to his deep interest in Alces malcluK. It is to 

 be sincerely hoped that other sportsmen will follow the Colo- 

 nel's admirable example, and aid the museums in which they 

 are most interested to secure some attractive groups. 



The moose group was followed immediately by the group of 

 musk-oxen, and there are others of Rocky Mountain goat, 

 mountain sheep, and sea-lions in course of preparation. 



