NORTH AMERICA AND THE WEST INDIES 265 



experiment. Bailey (1926) says that "in domestication elk 

 have proved more hardy and prolific than other stock and al- 

 most as easily handled under well-fenced range. If in the future 

 the production of elk meat proves as profitable an industry as 

 it promises, there will be found ideal conditions for elk pastures 

 in many parts of western North Dakota, where rough and 

 steep slopes lie close to brushy bottomlands, and winter browse 

 and summer grass can be inclosed in single or adjoining areas. 

 The severe winter weather which means suffering and loss to 

 domestic stock without shelter is a joy to these native born and 

 bred deer if a suitable and adequate food supply be available. 

 Along many of the stream valleys with Badlands borders, 

 which now lie idle or are of little use for stock, elk would find 

 an abundance of their favorite food and choice living condi- 

 tions. The time seems ripe for adding this industry to the 

 many resources of the State." 



ROCKY MOUNTAIN WAPITI; NELSON'S WAPITI 

 CERVUS CANADENSIS NELSONI Bailey 



Cervus canadensis nelsoni Bailey, Proc. Biol.^Soc. Washington, vol. 48, p. 188, Nov. 15, 



1935 ("Yellowstone National Park," Montana). 

 FIGS.: Elliot, 1901, pi. 12 (skull and antlers); Nelson, 1916, p. 454 (col. fig.). 



The wapiti of the Rocky Mountain region, from northern 

 New Mexico northward into Canada, and including formerly 

 perhaps the Great Plains area, is regarded as a race larger in 

 size of body and in antlers than that of the eastern woodlands, 

 and in color it is the palest of the races except the dwarf elk 

 (C. c. nannodes) . Bailey describes the type as light buffy fawn 

 in summer, fading to creamy buff; rump-patch creamy buff or 

 whitish; head, neck, legs, and belly dull rusty brown to dark 

 umber and blackish; eye-rings buffy. In winter, the body 

 color is buffy gray over lavender, with dusky tips that wear 

 off leaving a creamy or soiled-whitish appearance; large rump- 

 patch, including the tail, whitish or clear white; head and neck 

 dull rusty brown with dark-brown manes, darkest on lower 

 throat; ears dull light brown, lined with pale buff. The basal 

 length of the skull of the type (male) was 430 mm.; length 

 of antler over the beam, 1,250-1,260 mm. 



It may now be impossible to ascertain where this race 

 intergraded with the eastern form or whether the range of the 



