ANIMALS OF NOKTH AMERICA. 83 



is sustained upon a neck at once slender, vigorous, and 

 graceful. The beauty of the male Elk is still farther 

 heightened by the long forward, curling hair, which forms a 

 sort of ruff or beard, extending from the head towards the 

 breast, where it grows short, and is but little different from 

 the common covering. The body of the Elk, though large, 

 is finely proportioned ; the limbs are small and apparently 

 delicate, but are strong, sinewy, and agile. The hair is of 

 a bluish gray color in autumn ; during winter it continues 

 of a dark gray ; and at the approach of spring it assumes a 

 reddish or bright brown color, which is permanent throughout 

 summer. , 



The Elk has at one time ranged over the greater part, if 

 not the whole of this continent. It is still met with in the 

 remote and thinly settled parts of Pennsylvania, but the 

 number is small. It is only in the Western wilds that they 

 are met with in considerable herds. They are fond of the 



