Varieties of the Elk 



him as he steps along or if one straggles too far he moves slowly 

 toward her, and shaking his mighty horns warns her to return. If 

 you fire a shot at one of that band, speedily the old bull will show 

 himself the herder and protector of his family. Rushing about from 

 point to point he will gather up cows and calves into a close bunch 

 and will drive them off over the hills, threatening the laggards with his 

 horns and using them too with cruel effect if the cows do not hurry. 

 No chivalry this on the part of the old bull. . . . He drives them for- 

 ward not because he wishes to protect them from death, but because 

 the cows are his and he does not intend to be robbed of his wives and 

 children." 



Varieties of the Elk 



As with most animals of wide range the elk varies in different 

 parts of its habitat. Three varieties have been described and it 

 is probable that the animals formerly inhabiting the Eastern States 

 differed somewhat from the Rocky Mountain elk. Lack of specimens 

 will however probably leave this question forever in doubt. 



/. American Elk. Cerviis canadensis (Erxl.) Described above, 



range west to and including the Rocky Mountains. 

 2. Roosevelfs Elk. Cervits occidentalis Smith. Larger and darker 



coloured, with heavier horns. 

 Range. Coast range of Washington, Oregon and Northern 



California. 

 5. Merriam's Elk. Cervus merriami Nelson. Nose darker and head 



and legs redder than C. canadensis, but not so dark as C. 



occidentalis. Skull very massive, broader than either of the 



above. Antlers straighter at the tips. 

 Range. White Mountains of Arizona and Mogollon Mountains, 



New Mexico. 



Virginia Deer 



Odocoileus virginianus (Boddaert) 



Length. 6 feet. Height at shoulder. 3 feet i inch. Length of 

 Antler. 20-24 inches. 



Description. Bright rufous chestnut above in summer with a black 

 band on the chin, throat, under parts and inside of legs white, 

 tail brownish above, white beneath. In winter the upper parts 

 are yellowish gray with white about the eye. Antlers curving 



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