THE MOOSE 109 



of the forest, and its long legs stride with indifferent ease over 

 fallen tree-trunks which to the hunter are barriers to be 

 climbed over, slowly and laboriously. 



The Moose can instantly be recognized by its broad, 

 square-ended, overhanging nose, large ears, high hump on 

 the shoulders, and long, coarse, smoky-gray hair. The adult 

 male is further distinguished by antlers that are enormously 

 flattened and expanded, in a form popularly known as "pal- 

 mation." 



The Moose is not a grazing animal, like the elk and most 

 other members of the Deer Family. It lives by "browsing," 

 or eating the bark, twigs and leaves of certain trees, and also 

 moss and lichens. It is strictly a forest animal, and is never 

 found on open, treeless plains. It is very fond of still water, 

 and is much given to frequenting the small lakes and ponds 

 which abound in some portions of its home. It is as fond of 

 wading in shallow water as a boy, and is a ready and powerful 

 swimmer. It loves to feed upon lily pads and stems, and 

 Moose hunters have assured me that it even seeks the bulbs 

 growing in the muddy bottom. In New Brunswick it is very 

 partial to the young trees and bushes that are growing thickly 

 on forest areas that have been burned over and denuded of 

 their timber. 



Except in Alaska, the majority of Moose killed by hunters 

 are shot from ambush beside ponds, or from canoes. Fre- 

 quently Moose that are surprised when wading and feeding 

 in shallow water, make the mistake of rushing into deep water, 

 to escape by swimming, when they are easily overtaken, and 

 either killed, captured or photographed. 



