THE ELK IN NORWAY. 119 



branch line to Kongsvinger, getting out at Skarnaes. 

 Next, he must find his way by carriole to Stormoen, 

 and inquire at the post-office for one " Frederik Olsen 

 Knauserud, in Nordre Odal under Tannaes." He is an 

 old and experienced hunter, and has shot not only 

 numbers of elk, but more bears have fallen to his rifle, 

 I have been told, than is the case with any other 

 Norwegian. He is well up to the craft ; has a good 

 dog ; and as " Nordre Odal " is, perhaps, the very best 

 place for elk in the whole country, it is not unlikely 

 that some good sport may be had. Some friends of 

 mine hunted there last autumn, and saw three or four 

 elk, if not more, killing two. 



The principal food of the elk consists of the leaves 

 of young birch shoots, the bark of different kinds of 

 trees, grass, and young twigs. The birch, mountain 

 ash, and willow tribe seem to constitute their favourite 

 food. Of grasses, they like those the best which grow 

 in marshy places ; and the Caltlia palustris is perhaps 

 above everything else their most delicate morsel. In 

 the rutting season they are said to devour eagerly 

 the Ledum palustre, which plant is supposed to excite 

 their amatory propensities. When hard pressed, and 

 when their favourite food is scarce, they will eat the 

 berries and shoots of the juniper, Scotch, and occasion- 

 ally the spruce fir, fungi, and lichens. 



Unripe corn proves an attraction which they cannot 



