120 SPORT IN NORWAY. 
resist ; and then their visits undoubtedly cause a great 
deal of damage to the farmer, almost as much perhaps 
as the depredations of an elephant in a rice-field in 
India, But as soon as ever the corn begins to ripen, 
and the halm to harden, they discontinue their incur- 
sions. 
While grazing, they place their fore feet far back, 
and bend the body over. 
During the winter time they eat the twigs of birch, 
willow, and ash; and in lieu of these, remdeer moss. 
Two contrary opinions have been held in Norway as 
to whether the elk committed injuries among the forest 
trees or not. Some asserted that it did an incalculable 
amount of harm to the young trees; others, that it 
was quite harmless. As is usually the case with ex- 
treme opinions, both are wrong. 
In comparison with its large body, the elk requires 
but little food. For with increasing years it becomes 
idle and lazy in its habits. It rests during the night, 
never feeding in the dark, except when the moon is 
shining very brightly. Moreover, like the cow and 
the sheep, a considerable time is occupied in chewing 
the cud. 
During the rutting season, the males are very 
savage, and dire are the conflicts that take place be- 
tween them to gain the affections of the female. 
From their great length of leg they are enabled 
