104 SURE-FOOTED. 



together. It happens, however, that twelve or fifteen, or 

 even more, are seen in company ; but in these cases the 

 animals have, probably, been previously hunted. 



The elk is not a great wanderer, at least in the winter 

 time, at which season I have had most opportunity of 

 observing his habits. Possibly, however, this may be owing 

 to the depth of snow impeding, in degree, his movements. 

 If left undisturbed, indeed, he will often remain for weeks, 

 or even months together, on the same hill-side. 



If there be several elks in company, and that they be 

 pursued, they for the most part follow in the same track, and 

 that so exactly, and in a string as it were, that it is not 

 always easy to see if there is more than a single one. 

 They at times are said to keep so close together, that the 

 snout of the one nearly rests on the haunches of the other. 

 The old always take the lead, and the young follow in their 

 wake. When going at a good pace, their heads are carried 

 horizontally, so that the antlers of the males necessarily rest 

 on their necks, and as a consequence, offer but little impedi- 

 ment to their progress. 



Considering the density of the northern forests, and the 

 very difficult nature of the ground, it has often astonished me 

 to see the manner in which the elk, when pursued, will cross 

 the country and that as the crow flies. Neither boulders nor 

 Vind-f alien which, as said, are accumulations of prostrate 

 trees nor precipitous acclivities, impede his onward course ; 

 and he crashes through the thickest brakes and the most 

 tangled coverts as if crossing the level and open plain. Nor 

 does the snow, even if two or three feet deep, unless the 

 surface be frozen, offer any serious hindrance to his move- 

 ments. It has seemed to me, that when in the winter time 



