.. WESTERN WILD SPORTS. 163 



the sac and its connection with the nostrils. The Elk has at 

 one period ranged over the greater part, if not the whole, of this 

 continent. Jefferson has stated that he ' could never leam that 

 the Round-horn Elk has been seen farther north than the Hud- 

 son River.' But Hearne has described the Wewaskish in such 

 a manner as to leave no doubt of its existence as far north as 

 the vicinity of Cumberland House, in lat. 53 deg. 6 min. Elk 

 are still continually found in the remote and thinly settled parts 

 of Pennsylvania, but the number is small. It is only in the 

 western wilds that they are seen in considerable herds. They 

 are fond of the green forests, where a luxuriant vegetation 

 affords them an abundant supply of buds and tender twigs ; or 

 of the great plains where the solitude is seldom interrupted, 

 and all-bounteous nature spreads an immense field of verdure 

 for their support. 



" The Elk is shy and retiring; having acute senses, he receives 

 early warning of the approach of any human intruder. 



" The moment the air is tainted by the odor of his enemy, his 

 head is erected with spirit, his ears rapidly thrown in every 

 direction to catch the sounds, and his large dark glistening eye 

 expresses the most eager attention. Soon as the approaching 

 hunter is fairly discovered, the Elk bounds along for a few 

 paces, as if trying his strength for flight, stops, turns half round, 

 and scans his pursuer with a steady gaze, then throwing back 

 his lofty horns upon his neck, and projecting his taper nose for- 

 wards, he springs from the ground, and advances with a velocity 

 which soon leaves the object of his dread far out of sight. 



" But in the season when sexual passion reigns with its 

 wonted influence over the animal creation, the Elk, like various 

 other creatures, assumes a more warlike and threatening charac- 

 ter. He is neither so easily put to flight, nor can he be ap- 

 pr(jached with impunity, although he may have been wounded. 

 His horns and hoofs are then employed with great effect, and 

 the lives of men and dogs are endangered by coming within his 

 reach. This season is during August and September, when 

 the horns are Ln perfect order, and the males apjiear filled with 



