so NEWFOUNDLAND CARIBOU 



two does), but certainly not to the Caribou of Newfoundland. 

 I have seen several cases of stags leaving all their does 

 and taking possession of an entirely new herd. By way 

 of an example, let me tell of one occasion when I was 

 watching a very fair stag that had eight does, some of which 

 had their fawns with them. For several hours they were 

 within a few hundred yards of where I lay concealed, 

 hoping all the time that they would come within photo- 

 graphic range. The stag was in a very excited condition, 

 perpetually grunting and never quiet for a moment, except 

 when watching a doe that appeared to be thinking of taking 

 her departure. Immediately she moved away, he would 

 rush after her and force her back to the herd. Suddenly 

 the stag looked up and snorted loudly. Across the barren, 

 over a quarter of a mile away, was another stag of about 

 his own size with nine does. For some time both stags 

 continued to stare at one another. The further does did 

 not stop, however, but continued to come slowly across 

 the barren. Before long both stags started forward at 

 a fast trot, the newcomer soon overtaking his herd. 

 On they came, and I felt sure there was going to be a fight, 

 as both stags appeared to be very irritable. Sometimes 

 they would hold their heads high so that the sun glistened 

 on their antlers. Sometimes their heads would be held 

 down close to the ground, their heavy necks almost 

 dragging on the moss. Nearer and nearer they came, both 

 grunting and both seemingly full of fight, the does in the 

 meanwhile evincing but the scantiest interest. At last 

 the stags were within a few feet of one another. They 

 stopped a moment regarding each other intently and then, 

 strange as it may sound, they passed on in the direction 

 they had been going, and each took possession of the other 

 one's herd of does. How to explain this curious behaviour 



