134 THE MOOSE. 



the wary moose of the approach of danger. It is only 

 during a heavy down-pour of rain that this exquisite 

 perception of sound seems to become dulled, and at 

 such times the hunter may hope to approach unheard. 

 The direction of the wind is, of course, of vital import- 

 ance in the approach, and this is always ascertained 

 before commencing operations. The moose, before it 

 lies down to repose, usually describes a semicircle, 

 crouching within a few yards of its original tracks, 

 well concealed by sheltering brushwood. 



" Thus the hunter, when pursuing its traces, passes 

 unconsciously within a few feet of his hidden game, 

 which escapes while its enemy is puzzling out its trail 

 round the deflection from its former course. 



" The rutting season commences about the beginning 

 of September, and at this time rival bulls engage in 

 deadly encounter, for which their huge antlers, now 

 perfectly formed, are well suited. It is an exciting 

 moment for the moose -caller on a still autumn night, 

 when he hears the distant bellow of the bull and the 

 noise of crashing branches, as the gigantic animal 

 forces his way through the tangled forest, or smashes 

 the withered rampikes with his massive horns. The 

 attendant Indian raises the cone of birch bark to his 

 lips, and with well-feigned imitation of the call of 

 the cow, lures the bull within range of the hunter's 

 rifle. 



"In districts where they are not often disturbed, 

 moose will readily answer the Indian's call ; but when 



