THE WAPITI. 698 
then cover the aperture with a slab of ice or frozen snow, which is balanced on two pivots 
in such a way that when a Deer treads upon the treacherous floor it suddenly gives way, 
tilts him into the pit, and resumes its position in readiness for another victim. Another 
plan is to make a large inclosure, at least a mile in circumference, and to drive the Deer 
into its fatal precincts. The space within the inclosure is formed into numerous alleys, in 
each of which are long nooses, so that the Deer are caught and strangled as they move to 
and fro within the pound. 
WE now come to the Deer which inhabit the warm or temperate regions of the world, 
and which include the greater portion of the family. The first on the list is the Waprr1, 
or CAROLINA STAG. 
This magnificent animal is one of the largest of the Deer tribe, the adult male 
measuring nearly five feet in height at the shoulders, and about seven feet nine inches 
from the nose to the root of the tail. It is a native of North America, where it is 
popularly known under the name of the Ell. 
The Wapiti lives in herds of variable numbers, some herds containing only ten or 
twenty members, while others are found numbering three or four hundred. These herds 
are always under the command of one old and experienced buck, who exercises the 
strictest discipline over his subjects, and exacts implicit and instantaneous obedience. 
When he halts, the whole herd suddenly stop, and when he moves on, the herd follow his 
example. There must be some method by which he communicates his orders to his 
followers, as the entire herd will wheel right or left, advance or retreat, with an almost 
military precision. 
This position of dignity is not easily assumed, and is always won by dint of sheer 
strength and courage, the post being held against all competitors at the point of the horn. 
The combats that take place between the males are of a singularly fierce character, and 
often end in the death of the weaker competitor. An instance is known where a pair of 
these animals have perished in a manner similar to that which will be related of the 
carjacou, their horns having been inextricably locked together, causing the poor creatures to 
die a sad death of hunger ‘and thirst, When attacked by the hunter, and wounded with 
a hurt that is not immediately mortal, the Wapiti will turn fiercely on his opponent, and 
fight with the reckless courage of despair. 
Although the bucks display such courage in fighting for their spouses, they treat them 
very harshly when they have secured them, and always keep the poor creatures in constant 
fear. It is not until they have lost their horns that the does seem to lose the feelings of 
terror with which they regard their hard-hearted mates. 
Even in captivity the male Wapiti retains its combative nature, as may be seen from 
the following anecdote, which is related in the work of Messrs. Audubon and Bachman. 
“ A centleman in the interior of Pennsylvania, who kept a pair of Elks (Wapitis) in a 
large woodland pasture, was in the habit of taking pieces of bread or a few handfuls of 
corn with him when he walked in the inclosure, to feed these animals, calling them up for 
the amusement of his friends. Having occasion to pass through his park one day, and not 
having furnished himself with bread or corn for his pets, he was followed by the buck, 
who expected his usual gratification. The gentleman, irritated by the pertinacity with 
which he was accompanied, turned round, and picking up a small stick, hit the animal a 
smart blow; upon which, to his astonishment and alarm, the buck, lowering his head, 
rushed at him, and made a furious pass with his horns. 
Luckily, he stumbled as he attempted to fly, and fell over the prostrate trunk of a 
tree near which lay another log, and being able to throw his body between the two trunks, 
the Elk was unable to injure him, although it butted at him repeatedly, and kept hie 
prisoner for more than an hour. Not relishing this proceeding, the gentleman, as soon as 
he escaped, gave orders to have the unruly animal destroyed.” 
The Wapiti is a good swimmer, and even when very young, will fearlessly breast the 
current of a wide and rapid river. Like many of the larger animals, it is fond of 
submerging itself under water in the warm weather, for the sake of cooling its heated 
