Varieties of the Elk 
him as he steps along or if one straggles too far he moves slowly 
toward her, and shaking his mighty horns warns her to return. If 
you fire a shot at one of that band, speedily the old bull will show 
himself the herder and protector of his family. Rushing about from 
point to point he will gather up cows and calves into a close bunch 
and will drive them off over the hills, threatening the laggards with his 
horns and using them too with cruel effect if the cows do not hurry. 
No chivalry this on the part of the old bull. . . . Hedrives them for- 
ward not because he wishes to protect them from death, but because 
the cows are his and he does not intend to be robbed of his wives and 
children.” 
Varieties of the Elk 
As with most animals of wide range the elk varies in different 
parts of its habitat. Three varieties have been described and it 
is probable that the animals formerly inhabiting the Eastern States 
differed somewhat from the Rocky Mountain elk. Lack of specimens 
will however probably leave this question forever in doubt. 
1, American Elk. Cervus canadensis (Erxl.) Described above, 
range west to and including the Rocky Mountains. 
2. Roosevelt's Elk. Cervus occidentalis Smith. Larger and darker 
coloured, with heavier horns. 
Range. Coast range of Washington, Oregon and Northern 
California. 
3. Merriam’s Elk. Cervus merriami Nelson. Nose darker and head 
and legs redder than C. canadensis, but not so dark as C. 
occidentalis. Skull very massive, broader than either of the 
above. Antlers straighter at the tips. 
Range. White Mountains of Arizona and Mogollon Mountains, 
New Mexico. 
Virginia Deer 
Odocoileus virginianus (Boddaert) 
Length. 6 feet. Height at shoulder. 3 feet 1 inch. Length of 
Antler. 20-24 inches. 
Description. Bright rufous chestnut above in summer with a black 
band on the chin, throat, under parts and inside of legs white, 
tail brownish above, white beneath. In winter the upper parts 
are yellowish gray with white about the eye. Antlers curving 
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