Moose Deer, — Alces Americana, 05 



very deep and difficult for them to get through, they break down and browse 

 •closely the tops of young fir trees five or six feet from the ground, and where 

 they are two or three inches in diameter. They also reach up and peel and 

 browse ten or twelve feet high above the ground, raising the fore legs and 

 allowing the weight of the body to rest on the hind ones. Although so fond 

 of browsing the fir, they never eat the bark of it, yet they seldom kill any 

 other tree, as they generally peel only one side of those they use for food ; 

 they also break down the bushes iiione direction, pulling them towards them ; 

 so that the direction the moose has taken is known to the hunter by this 

 sign, when he first approaches a ' yard.' The young fir-trees are killed by 

 the males rubbing their heads against them, instinct teaching them in that 

 manner to apply the balsam of fir (which possesses great healing powers) to 

 the sore and tender places caused by the loosening and falling ofi* of the 

 horns. 



'^ The favorite winter food of the moose is the twigs of the fir tree and 

 the bark of the mountain ash, and of a species of dwarf maple, and the young 

 twigs of the ' moosewood.' 



"During the summer the females are often seen accompanied by their 

 two calves, but in the winter there is seldom more than one calf found with 

 each female. From this I infer that the young of the moose are subject to 

 many dangers. The female gives -an abundance of milk, and the growth of 

 the moose is very rapid for the first three years. It possesses immense 

 strength and is capable of enduring long continued exertion and very great 

 fatigue. It consumes very little food in proportion to its size, and, during 

 the winter, seldom drinks, quenching its thirst with snow. Yet it very 

 often chooses its yarding place near or on some little streamlet, perhaps on 

 account of its favorite maple being most abundant in such places. 



<* The age of the moose is not grea,t. I have never known but one to 

 attain the age of twenty years ; in fact, it is a rare and uncommon thing to 

 find one that has attained the age of fifteen years. It possesses a quick ear 

 and very strong, keen scent, and differs from most other wild animals in re- 

 gard to its desire to attack a person bearing a torch, or rather the torch it- 

 self. For instance, in hunting on a dark night, in a canoe, on the water, 

 when in pursuit of a deer, &c., a flambeau, or torch, or candle, can be used 

 to great advantage, the animals being apparently bewildered or fascinated 

 by the bright, steady light which approaches them so noiselessly and still ; 

 but the moose, as soon as he perceives it, approaches it, quickening his pace 

 as he comes nearer, till (unless utterly disabled by the deadly rifle shot) he 

 charges full upon it, destroying the canoe, and frequently injuring its occu-- 

 pant. However, with the extinction of the torch his fury ceases. The 

 moose is easily tamed, and when domesticated, exhibits much sagacity, and 

 has, if well treated, a very affectionate disposition. I kept a young one (one 

 year old) a short time, which manifested as much docility aiKl! affection as a 

 pet lamb. But when insulted or injured they are very ievengcfuJ and' ua> 

 forgiving'. In reference to which I will relate an anocdote.. 



