Columbian Reindeer 33 



the statement is copied in Deer of All Lands. Mr. Outram Bangs ^ 

 states, however, that this idea is entirely erroneous, and that the Newfound- 

 h\nd caribou never leaves its native island. " Its regular migrations," he 

 observes, " are performed semi-annually upon its native island, which is 

 sufficient unto it, and which it never leaves. A moment's thought shows 

 how absurd such a theory is. No caribou is going to attempt to swim the 

 broad, deep strait of Belle Isle, for the sake of crossing to an unknown 

 land occupied by a different species ; and in winter — when, on rare 

 occasions, caribou might cross the ice — they are all two hundred miles away 

 and more, in the southern and eastern parts of the island." No doubt 

 this is perfectly correct. All the same, it is a little difficult to understand 

 why the Newfoundland reindeer should be credited with the knowledge 

 that its kindred of the continent belong to a type differing from itself 



THE COLUMBIAN REINDEER, OR CARIBOU 



[Rangijo- taraiiJus montcuuis) 



This form was separated from its nearest ally, the woodland reindeer, by 

 Mr. E. Seton-Thompson in the Ottawa Naturalist for August 1899, where 

 it was regarded as entitled to rank as a distinct species. Compared with 

 the woodland race, its chief characteristics are said to be its darker colour 

 and superior size ; exceeding in the latter respect even the Newfound- 

 land race. The type specimen stood 3 feet 10^ inches at the withers. 

 The general colour of that individual is described as deep umber-brown, 

 very glossy, and darkening nearly to black on the lower parts of the legs. 

 The neck is dull greyish white, as are the under surfice of the tail, the 

 buttocks, the legs, and the under-parts. The flanks show a greyish patch 

 somewhat lighter than the surrounding brown ; and the light ring above 

 the hoof is pure white and unusually narrow. The antlers are of the same 



1 Proceedings New England Zoological Cliih, vol. i. pp. i6, 17 (1899). 



