THE MOOSE. 61 



down the snow in due form," but simply by confining 

 themselves, for the above reason, to one spot, which, of 

 course, very soon produces the same effect, the interior 

 being screened and protected by the deep drift around. 



Unless disturbed, they will remain in one of these 

 places for a considerable time, gradually enlarging the 

 area, often to the extent of twenty or thirty acres, and 

 browsing on the bushes, and on the branches and bark 

 of the surrounding trees, as long as there is anything 

 left ; the trunks being peeled to a height which it appears 

 almost incredible the animal should be able to reach, 

 while the young and lower trees are stripped bare of 

 every branch ; the spruce alone appearing to escape. 

 The maple, mountain-ash, and " button- wood," or plane, 

 are especial favourites. 



There is little doubt that the Moose is capable of 

 undergoing long privation, and in proportion to its 

 great size is at all times a sparing feeder, and able to 

 subsist on very little nourishment. The old males gene- 

 rally " yard" together, for as they advance in years 

 they keep more and more aloof from the females and 

 young animals ; and at last become so unsociable that 

 they even dislike each other's society, and live an entirely 

 solitary life. 



The exterior of the ravage is often found thickly 

 trampled by wolves, \vhich, though mortally afraid to cross 



