Moose 175 



All observers agree that the Scandinavian Moose is 

 monogamous, which is strong side-evidence, since the species is 

 so closely related to our own. Finally, most of the hunters I 

 have consulted, as well as Judge Caton, the leading authority 

 on American Deer, say, unhesitatingly, that the American 

 Moose is a strictly monogamous animal. 



W. G. Tweddell, of Manitoba, an experienced Moose 

 hunter, believes that the same pair will seek each other out on 

 successive seasons, although separated for half the year. 



On the other hand, most of the hunters in Manitoba and 

 on the Ottawa maintain that the bull roves from one cow's 

 range to another and will mate with many in the season, though 

 he is rarely seen with more than one cow at a time. In the 

 Kippewa country I was assured by several hunters that it is 

 quite a common thing for the cow Moose to answer the cow-call 

 while she is with her mate, and to come leading him as though 

 she desired to share her position with another. In the few 

 cases of calling that I have seen, however, it was a single rov- 

 ing bull that came in answer to the invitation. 



The fact of the matter is that there are four degrees of 

 monogamy among the animals: 



I St. That in which a male and a female remain together 

 for perhaps a week, after which the female no longer desires 

 a mate, and the male seeks a second. That is, one mate at a 

 time, but perhaps five or six in the season. 



2d. That of certain Weasels, wherein the pair continue 

 together during the mating season of a week or more, then sep- 

 arate completely. 



3d. That of hawks, in which the pair continue together 

 with little interruption until the young are able to care for 

 themselves (say for four or five months), the father faithfully 

 helping in caring for the young. 



4th. That of eagles, which pair and live together con- 

 tinually till one is removed by death. 



The first is the way of the Moose — one mate at a time, 

 but maybe five or six in the season. 



Whether the bond lasts more than one season is another 



