58 CERVIDJS. 



and rocky ground. By the elevation of the newly 

 broken twigs, by the height of the rubbings, or the 

 appearance of the gnawed bark on the larger trees, by 

 the form, the depth and size of the slot or footprints, by 

 the droppings, connected or separate, he will tell whether 

 the Moose in front are male or female, old or young ; and 

 knows their weight and antlers, and whether the animals 

 are flying, or retreating leisurely. By the springy grass, 

 still prostrate, or just recovering from the pressure of 

 the hoof, he will judge his distance to a nicety, and 

 by a hundred other minutiae comprehend as clearly 

 every movement of the invisible objects of his pursuit 

 as though they were within reach of his eyes. 



When Moose are close at hand, a faint warm whiff 

 of musk scents the air, and he who has learned to thread 

 his way with the stealthy tread of the panther may 

 sometimes manage to creep pretty close in upon them. 

 From the resemblance, however, in colour which their 

 bodies bear to surrounding objects, it is often so difficult 

 to detect them that the flapping of their long ears is 

 the first indication of their whereabouts. 



Some are lying, some standing; some stamping their 

 large heavy hoofs, and others tossing back their vast 

 antlers, impatient of the tormenting flies, which during 

 the summer and autumn months attack them in myriads. 



If an alarm is given, in the twinkling of an eye 



