58 Game of Europe, W. & N. Asia & America 



winter, however, it appears that the western wapiti has the head, neck, 

 and limhs more or less completely black, although the intensity of this 

 displays considerable individual variation, and it is often mingled with 

 brown. " This peculiar coloration," writes Dr. Elliot, " I have never 

 seen in the eastern wapiti ; and when in this pelage the Olympic animal 

 could be always readily recognisable. It is to be expected that all the 

 animals inheriting a country subjected to such an annual rainfall as is 

 North -West Washington would be very dark in appearance, and this is 

 almost universally the case, all colours being intensified, and it is not 

 surprising that the wapiti should be no exception to the rule, but assume 

 at certain seasons a partly black pelage. This colouring is practically the 

 only character there is by which the wapiti of the Olympics and Rocky 

 Mountains can be separated, and when it is absent the animals are indis- 

 tinguishable from each other." 



If this account may be taken as an authentic statement of the case, it 

 will be evident that the differences between the eastern and western races 

 of the wapiti are much less than would be inferred from reading Dr. 

 Merriam's original description of Ccrvus roosevelti^ which formed the basis 

 of the notice in Deer of All Latuh. Indeed, it may be a question whether, 

 from the present writer's point of view, such a slight distinction can be 

 regarded as sufficient to justify even a sub-specific separation of the two 

 animals. Since, however, the distinction between them is recognised by 

 all modern American naturalists, their claim to rank as separate races is 

 provisionally recognised here. 



The range of the western wapiti includes a portion of British 

 Columbia, Vancouver Island, Washington, Oregon, and, it is said. Northern 

 California. In certain parts of the Olympic Mountains wapiti, according 

 to information furnished by Mr. Cowan, are still very numerous ; and on 

 account of the quantity of fallen timber it is very difficult to bring out 

 their heads. 



