132 THE MOOSE. 



of bushes and trees are his natural fare, and of these 

 he can partake with ease. 



"In April or May the calves are dropped. Some- 

 times only one is produced, sometimes two, or even 

 three, make their appearance. The period during 

 which the young are carried is the same as in the case 

 of domestic cattle namely, nine months. 



"During the hot season the bull, cow, and calves 

 remain in each other's company; and again at the 

 approach of winter several of these families unite and 

 form bands or small herds. During the heavy snows 

 of winter these herds occasionally take up their quar- 

 ters in some particular locality and tread down the 

 snow over a large space in the forest. These spots are 

 known as ' moose yards ; ' and it is in such situation^ 

 wher discovered by the Indian or settler, that the 

 greatest destruction of moose takes place. 



"Moose are hunted in various ways. These are 

 known as, 'still-hunting,' that is, stalking the animal 

 by means of its tracks through the forest; 'calling,' 

 which consists in alluring the bull within range, by 

 imitating the bellow of the cow. This requires the 

 nicest skill, and no one except an Indian of experience 

 can hope for success in this branch of the art. The 

 moose is also overtaken in the snow by the hunter 

 who is provided with snow-shoes. These preserve 

 him from sinking, and he can progress with great 

 swiftness, while the moose flounders heavily along, 

 plunging up to its thighs at every stride, and soon 



