WESTERN WILD SPORTS. 167 



Maine, where it is becoming rare. In Nova Scotia, the Isle of 

 Breton, the country adjacent to the Bay of Fundy, and through- 

 out the Hudson's Bay possessions, the Moose is found in consi- 

 derable numbers. 



" The dense forests, and closely-shaded swamps of these re- 

 gions, are the favorite resorts of this animal, as there the most 

 abundant supply of food is to be obtained with the least incon- 

 venience. The length of limb, and shortness of neck, which in 

 an open pasture appear so disadvantageous, are here of essen- 

 tial importance, in enabling the Moose to crop the buds and 

 young twigs of the birch, maple, or poplar; or should he prefer 

 the aquatic plants, which grow most luxuriantly where the soil 

 is unfit to support other animals, the same length of limb ena- 

 bles him to feed with security and ease. We cannot avoid be- 

 lieving that the peculiar lateral and slouching position of the 

 nostrils is immediately connected with the manner in which the 

 Moose browses. Their construction is very muscular, and 

 seems very well adapted for seizing and tearing off the twigs 

 and foliage of trees, and conveying them to the mouth ; it may 

 also be designed to prevent the sense of smell from being at any 

 time suspended by the prehension of food. The probability of 

 this last suggestion is strengthened by the fact, that the Moose 

 is endowed with an exquisite sense of smell, and can discover 

 the approach of hunters at very great distances. When obliged 

 to feed on level ground, the animal must either kneel, or sepa- 

 rate the legs very widely. In feeding on the sides of acclivities, 

 the Moose does so with less inconvenience by grazing from be- 

 low upwards ; the steeper the ground may be, so much the 

 easier it is for this species to pasture. Yet, whenever food is 

 to be procured from trees and shrubs, it is prefen-ed to that 

 which is only to be obtained by grazing. The Moose, like his 

 kindred species, is a harmless and peaceful animal, except in 

 the season when the sexes seek each other ; then the males 

 display a fierceness and pugnacity, which forms a strong con- 

 trast to their ordinary actions. Were they only examined dur- 

 ing such seasons, the character of the species would be entirely 



