1903] Moose with Elk Antlers. 57 



MOOSE WITH KIJv ANTLERS. 



(With lino plate.) 



By the Rkv. W.m. A. BfRMAN, \Vinnii)e>f. 



The photograph accompanying" these notes shows two moose 

 heads. The normal moose antlers are to illustrate the very curious 

 variation in the other pair, which are almost typical elk antlers. 



The moose thus curiously disting'uished was killed some 

 weeks ago in the country north of Beausejour, Man., and about 

 60 milts north-east from Winnipeg^. The head is now in the 

 possession of Mr. Alexander Calder, taxidermist, Main street, 

 Winnipeg", to whose courtesy I am indebted for the photog"raph 

 and notes. The measurements are as follows : — 



Length of head from mouth to crown 

 Round the head at base of antlers 

 Round the nose .... 

 Spread of antler prong^s 

 Length of longest prongs from base 

 Circumference of antler at base 



It would be interesting to know if such freaks as this are 

 common. If not^ then what is their significance ? I have heard 

 of a case in the far north where a moose had one antler as in this 

 case, the other of normal shape. Does the health of an animal 

 influence these growths? Or would environment affect them? Is 

 it not possible that some significance, not yet discovered, lies 

 hidden in the so-called "freaks" of nature such as this? Per- 

 sonally, I should be glad to know what others can tell about 

 similar cases to the one here figured. 



A Rat as an Entomologist. — On going to a street electric 

 light on the evening of May 25th to collect insects, I was surprised 

 to see a common rat busily engaged in the grass below catch- 

 ing and eating June Beetles { Lac //n as tenia). 



J. Fletcher. 



