THE ELK IN NORWAY. 121 



to lash out tremendously with their hind feet ; but they 

 usually defend themselves against wolves, dogs, &c., 

 with their fore feet, aiming their blows with the 

 rapidity of lightning, and so turning the hoof as to 

 strike the enemy with the sharp point. 



The pairing season lasts about three weeks. At this 

 time the male and female always select the loneliest 

 and most inaccessible spot possible in the middle of the 

 thickest part of the forest not more than fifty or sixty 

 feet square and never leave it on any account, except 

 when frightened away ; and even then they are sure to 

 return thither after the lapse of a few hours. During 

 this season, the male may frequently be heard to emit a 

 curious sound with its long lips, resembling a sharp 

 crack, accompanied by a snorting like that of a fright- 

 ened horse, only much louder and stronger. 



As the calving time draws near, the female retires 

 into the loneliest spot she can find, always selecting one 

 which is thickly overgrown with bushes. Half an hour 

 or so after its birth, the calf attempts to stand up, 

 being usually helped to get on its legs by its mother's 

 nose. 



The young ones suck the dam till after the following 

 rutting season ; in feet, as long as there is any milk to 

 be had. When they get a good size, they kneel down 

 like lambs in performing this operation ; and when 

 they have grown too big even to suck comfortably in 



