250 
and soft mossy tundras where it fre- 
quents. The hoofs proper, on account 
of the great spread of the toes, further 
assist to support it. 
The olfactory powers of the animal 
enable it to detect the mosses on which 
it feeds, however much buried under 
the snow; and its strong legs and sharp 
hoofs enable it to uncover the food. 
THE REINDEER’S HOMING INSTINCT 
The animal's power of orientation is 
remarkable. It knows its pastures and i‘s 
range, its home, and, like a homing pige- 
on, while it does not fly, ‘‘treks” back to 
its range when removed therefrom, 
unless restrained by watchful herding, 
or, until it becomes familiar with its 
new environments—acclimated, so to 
speak. The latter takes a year or more. 
When walking the reindeer produces 
a peculiar crackling sound, occasioned 
by sinews just above the fetlock. 
Many have ascribed this sound to the 
clicking of the toes of the animal; 
others, to a small bone above the quick 
of the hoof. This sound, as well as an 
oily substance that exudes from a gland 
between the toes of the animal, are 
thought to be a system of sound and 
scent signals. The Lapps claim that 
the reindeer ‘‘oils its horns’ with the 
exudations of the gland and can “‘shape 
the antlers.’’ It is indeed often seen to 
rub its horns with one of its hind hoofs. 
This is, however, probably due to ai 
itching sensation produced by develop- 
ing tines, and not an oiling or shaping 
process. 
The call of the reindeer is a peculiar 
grunt or bark, difficult to represent 
orthoepically; perhaps “uhrrr,” pro- 
nounced gutturally and with a quick 
expulsion of the breath, would answer. 
This call is continually heard in a large 
herd while the fawns are young—the 
mother calling the fawn or vice-versa. 
It is also heard when the buck is calling 
or belling the doe. 
The pelage of the reindeer is such as 
to protect the animal from freezing in 
the most inclement weather or cold. 
However, sudden and extreme cold, 
after a rain, or after a thaw, is a severe 
test, and is often disastrous, especially 
The Journal of Heredity 
to the young animals. Such weather 
conditions often cause the starvation of 
large numbers, because of the icy 
coating and crust it produces, encasing 
or covering the mosses. 
WIDE NATURAL RANGE NECESSARY 
On account of the apparent neces- 
sity for a change of food, and to avoid 
the fly and mosquito pests, the rein- 
deer, in summer, seek new pastures, 
preferably the sea shore, but also high 
altitudes. They also seek sheltered 
fawning places. In feeding they travel 
long distances, nibbling as they go. 
Thus, their natural range necessarily 
becomes extensive. Close herding, too, 
is detrimental to the animal and to the 
pasturage. 
SCIENTIFIC BREEDING EXPERIMENTS TO 
BE UNDERTAKEN 
The reindeer of Alaska have suffered 
somewhat from inbreeding, due to the 
difficulties of supplying new _ blood. 
Now, that Congress has appropriated 
funds for the establishment (by the 
Bureau of Biological Survey, Dr. E. W. 
Nelson, Chief) of an Experimental 
Station at or near Unalakleet, Alaska, it 
is hoped that this difficulty will, in part, 
be overcome by the crossing of reindeer 
with caribou, importation of new stock 
and an interchange of bucks among the 
herds. It is also hoped that greater 
attention will be directed toward re- 
lieving the animals of disease and pests 
that afflict or infest them, and that 
measures will be taken to cause the ex- 
termination or control of predatory 
animals that kill or injure them. These 
are especially bears, wolves, lynx and 
eagles. Dr. Nelson’s assistants, Dr. 
Seymour Hadwin and Mr. L. J. Palmer, 
are already on the ground, and find a 
large field for discovery and experi- 
ment. Their report will surely be 
interesting. 
The reindeer is used for food, cloth- 
ing and transportation. It has been 
said of the animal that “‘it is valuable to 
the iast hair.’’ It is rare sport to drive 
the animal. In racing, a span of rein- 
deer has made ten miles in twenty- 
seven to twenty-eight minutes. 
