Moose Deer, — Alces Americana. 69 



The question whether the moose is precisely the same species as the 

 dk of Europe, does not appear to be yet decided. The general rule, with 

 respect to the quadrupeds of America, seems to be, that, no matter how 

 much they may at first sight resemble those of the old world, yet, when a 

 close comparison is instituted, they are found to be different. Thus the red 

 fox, the wolf, and the stag {Elaphus Canadensis) were all regarded by 

 the earlier emigrants as identical with those upon the other side of the At- 

 lantic, but they are now known to be sufficiently different to constitute 

 distinct species. It is thus with the moose and the elk. The size, habits, 

 food and movements appear to be the same. In Lloyd's Field Sports of 

 the North of Europe, he states that the female elk brings forth, about the 

 middle of May, from one to three young ones ; but it is seldom that she has 

 more than two. At this period, the mother retires alone to the wildest re- 

 cesses of the forest. After a lapse of two or three days, the fawns, which 

 are of a light brown colour, have sufficient strength to follow their dam 

 everywhere ; they keep with her until they are in their third year, when she 

 leaves them to shift for themselves. 



" The elk is a long-lived animal ; he does not attain to his full growth 

 until after his fourteenth year. At least so it is to be presumed, as up to 

 that period his horns, which are of a flat form, are annually provided with 

 an additional branch. He sheds his horns about the month of February 

 in each year. The female elk, unlike the rein- deer of that sex, has no horns. 

 The horns of the young male elk are perceptible nine months after its 

 birth ; for the first year they are cylindrical and short ; the second year 

 they are about a foot in length, but not branched ; the third year two 

 points are discernible ; the fourth year three ; the fifth year they are full 

 grown in length. From that time forward they yearly increase in breadth 

 and in the number of branches until there are as many as fourteen on each 

 horn. 



" By nature the elk is timorous, and he usually flies at the sight of 

 man. In the autumn, however, lilve other animals of the deer kind, he is at 

 times rather dangerous. His weapons are his horns and hoofs ; he strikes 

 so forcibly with the latter as to annihilate a wolf or other large animal at a 

 single blow. It is said that when the elk is incensed, the hair on his neck 

 bristles up like the mane of a lion, which gives him a wild and frightful 

 appearance. 



" The usual pace of the elk is a high shambling trot, and his strides are 

 immense, but I have known him when frightened to go at a tremendous 

 gallop. In passing through thick woods he carries his horns horizontally, 

 to prevent them being entangled in the branches. From the formation of 

 his hoofs he makes a great clattering, like the rein-deer when in rapid 

 motion. In the summer season the elk usually resorts to morasses and low 

 situations ; for, like other animals of the deer kind, he frequently takes to 

 the water in warm weather ; he is an admirable swimmer. In the winter 

 time he retires to the more sheltered parts of the forest, where willow, ash, 

 &£., are to be found ; as from the small boughs of these trees he obtains his 



