THE ELK IN NORWAY. 119 
branch line to Kongsvinger, getting out at Skarnes. 
Next, he must find his way by carriole to Stormoen, 
and inquire at the post-office for one ‘‘ Frederik Olsen 
Knauserud, in Nordre Odal under Tannes.” He is an 
old and experienced hunter, and has shot not only 
numbers of elk, but more bears have fallen to his rifle, 
I have been told, than is the case with any other 
Norwegian. He is well up to the craft; has a good 
dog ; and as “ Nordre Odal” is, perhaps, the very best 
place for elk in the whole country, it is not unlikely 
that some good sport may be had. Some friends of 
mine hunted there last autumn, and saw three or four 
elk, if not more, killing two. 
The principal food of the elk consists of the leaves 
of young birch shoots, the bark of different kinds of 
trees, grass, and young twigs. The birch, mountain 
ash, and willow tribe seem to constitute their favourite 
food. Of grasses, they like those the best which grow 
in marshy places; and the Caltha palustris is perhaps 
above everything else their most delicate morsel. In 
the rutting season they are said to devour eagerly 
the Ledwm palustre, which plant is supposed to excite 
their amatory propensities. When hard pressed, and 
when their favourite food is scarce, they will eat the 
berries and shoots of the juniper, Scotch, and occasion- 
ally the spruce fir, fungi, and lichens. 
Unripe corn proves an attraction which they cannot 
