168 FRANK forester's FIELD SPORTS. 



misconceived. Under the influence of this powerful, though 

 temporary excitement, the males battle furiously with each 

 other, and resist the aggressions of man himself with vio-or and 

 effect. 



" In the summer, the Moose frequents swampy, or low 

 grounds, near the margins of lakes and rivers, through which 

 they delight to swim, as it frees them from the annoyance of 

 the insects. They are also seen wading out from the shores, 

 for the purpose of feeding on the aquatic plants which rise from 

 the water. At this season they regularly visit the same place, 

 in order to drink, of which circumstance the Indian hunter takes 

 advantage to lie in ambush, and secure the destruction of the 

 Deer. At such drinking-places, as many as eight or ten pairs 

 of Moose horns have been picked up. 



" During the winter the Moose, in families of fifteen or twenty, 

 seek the depths of the forest for shelter and food. Such a herd 

 will range throughout an extent of about five hundred acres, 

 subsisting upon the mosses attached to the trees, or biowsing 

 the tender branches of saplings, especially of the trees called 

 Moose-wood. The Indians name parts of the forest thus occu- 

 pied Moose-yards. 



" In Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Island of Grand- 

 Manan, the Moose is generally hunted in the month of IMavch, 

 when the snow is deep, and sufficiently crusted with ice to bear 

 the weight of a dog, not that of a Moose, as has been stated. 

 Five or six men, provided with knapsacks, containing food for 

 as many days, and all necessary implements for building their 

 * camp' at night, set out in search of a Moose-yard. When they 

 have discovered one, they collect their dogs, and encamp for 

 the night, in order to be ready to commence the chace at an 

 early hour, before the sun softens the crust upon the snow, which 

 would be the means of retarding the dogs, and facilitating the 

 escape of the Deer. At daybreak, the dogs are laid on, and the 

 hunters, wearing large snow-shoes, follow as closely as possible. 

 As soon as the dogs approach a Moose, they assail him on .all 

 sides, and force him to attempt his escape bv flight. The Deer, 



