THE AMERICAN ELK OR WAPITI. 



(Cervus canadensis.} 



Centuries ago, before Columbus sailed The name Wapiti is of Indian origin, 



the unknown seas which divided him and in their language is used to desig- 



from the New World of his dreams and nate a Rock Mountain goat. The name 



ambitions, before the birth of De Soto, elk so commonly applied to this animal 



that adventurer whose discoveries and should properly be limited to the moose, 



conquests were to unfold to the Old The Wapiti is closely related and be- 



World the mysteries and fascinations of longs to the same genus as the famous 



the new land, through the virgin forest stag or red deer (Cervus elaphas) of 



and over the broad plains as yet unknown Europe. This animal, which is smaller 



to the white race, roamed many animals than the Wapiti, inhabits the forests of 



which were widely distributed through- mountainous regions, 



out North America. In both the Wapiti and the stag the 



They fearlessly sought those localities senses of sight, hearing and smell are 



which would furnish them the most well developed. They will detect a 



abundant supply of food and water. Un- human being or other animal when some 



molested except by their natural enemies, distance away. Though their acute 



they multiplied and lived a free and un- senses protect them, they are said to have 



trammeled life. poor memories as well as weak powers 



In these early times the Wapiti or the of comprehension. The Wapiti when 

 American Elk, as it is commonly though listening raises its head and throws for- 

 erroneously called, was probably the most ward its erected ears. When entering 

 widely distributed quadruped in North the forest it will examine the surround- 

 America. Its range extended from the ing open country and sniff the wind, 

 northern part of Mexico northward to seeking possible danger. 

 Hudson's Bay and from the Atlantic to The antlers of both Wapiti and stag 

 the Pacific Ocean. At the present time, are much alike, though those of the 

 however, but a few wild individuals are former are longer and heavier, corre- 

 left in the United States east of the Mis- spending to its larger size. The full 

 sissippi and lower Missouri Rivers, growth of the horns is attained about the 

 They are occasionally met with in the seventh year. The perfect horns are 

 wilder regions bordering Lake Superior, slightly oval in transverse section and 

 and it is reported that they are still living thickly covered with warts or slight ele- 

 in the mountainous regions of Pennsyl- vations, which are arranged in longitudi- 

 vania and Virginia. The advance of nal lines. All the branches or prongs 

 civilization, causing the cultivation of are situated on the front side of the main 

 thfe lands and the destruction of the for- trunk. "The general color is a light 

 ests, has gradually driven this noble ani- chestnut red, which deepens into a 

 mal to the westward and into the wilds brownish hue on the neck and legs and 

 of British America. In the states bor- almost into a black on the throat and 

 dering the Pacific Ocean and along the along the median line of the under sur- 

 western tributaries of the Mississippi face of the body. The buttocks are yel- 

 and the Missouri rivers it is still quite lowish white, bordered by a dusky band 

 common. One writer tells us that "in which extends down the posterior surface 

 the rich pasture lands of the San Joaquin of the hind legs." In winter the fur is 

 and Sacramento it formerly was to be much thicker and finer and the general 

 seen in immense droves and with the an- color is more gray than in summer, 

 telope, the black-tailed deer, the wild cat- "During the mating season the males 

 tie and mustangs covered those plains have fierce combats, and at this time the 

 with herds rivalling those of the bison male Wapiti emits a peculiar noise, re- 

 east of the mountains or of the antelope in sembling the braying of an ass, beginning 



South Africa." with a loud shrill tone and ending in a 



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