22 THE NATURALIST IN NORWAY. 



tender twigs of young trees ; it also devours large 

 quantities of the wild berries which grow so abundantly 

 in this country. It is said to eat the numerous fungi 

 which are found in the Norwegian woods. In winter 

 the food principally consists of the twigs of the birch, 

 willow, and mountain-ash; it is very partial to the 

 berries of the last-mentioned tree. Like the reindeer, 

 it also feeds on lichens. The rutting season is in 

 autumn, when there are fierce combats between the 

 males for the possession of the females. The doe 

 brings forth her young, one or two at a birth, towards 

 the end of the following May. 



Mr. Lloyd, in his ' Scandinavian Adventures/ says 

 that the elk fawns have been brought up by a cow. 

 " At first the cow showed reluctance to the fawns, but 

 after awhile her dislike was converted into a special 

 affection, and she licked and caressed them with great 

 fondness. The smallest of the fawns at once began to 

 suck, and continues so to do until the present time. 

 The larger one will not suck, but, nevertheless, closely 

 follows her stepmother whenever she goes in a large 

 enclosed pasture ; and, in the meanwhile, it feeds on 

 grass, and treats itself to leaves, especially those of the 

 willow. Its evening repast consists of a bowl of meal, 

 mixed with milk and water, of which it partakes with 

 much pleasure. When dogs approach, whether it be 

 in the field or within the narrow enclosure or shed 

 where they have their night quarters, the cow always 

 defends them with courage and success ; and she also 

 evinces her displeasure when children or mischievous 

 boys approach too near to her adopted offspring." 



Other authors besides Caesar have confounded the 

 elk with the reindeer. This is strange, for the two 



