374 UNGULATES. 



same districts, the two races invariably remain completely apart from one another, 

 and show no tendency to intermingle. 



Woodland The larger woodland caribou, of which the dimensions have 



Caribou. already been mentioned, is an inhabitant of the forest districts lying 

 to the south of the barren northern lands. Mr. Lett states that "it inhabits 

 Labrador and Northern Canada, and thence may be found south to Nova Scotia, 

 New Brunswick, and Newfoundland, the northern part of the State of Maine and 

 Lower Canada on both sides of the St. Lawrence, thence westerly in the country 

 north of Quebec to the vicinity of Lake Superior. It never migrates towards the 

 north in summer, as is the habit of the barren-ground caribou, but makes its 

 migration in a southerly direction." This difference in the direction of the migration 

 of the two varieties is certainly very remarkable ; and when taken in conjunction 

 with the difference in the size of their antlers, and their refusal to mingle together, 

 indicates their marked distinctness from one another. 



Mr. Caton says, that the woodland caribou feeds on leaves, 

 "grasses, and aquatic plants, but its great resource is lichens. It 

 frequents marshy and swampy grounds more than any other of the Deer family ; 

 for which it is admirably adapted, and where it is well protected from pursuit. 

 In the winter it resorts to the dense forests on higher ground." Like the European 

 variety, the American reindeer is an animal of great endurance and speed, and can 

 trot faster than most horses. In disposition, the caribou is shy and wary, and to 

 ensure a successful stalk requires all the powers of the sportsman. To hunt these 

 animals in deep snow on foot, or on the open ground with dogs, is said to be mere 

 waste of time, as in the one case the animal, by the aid of its broad hoofs, makes 

 its way over the snow without difficulty, while in the other it easily distances and 

 tires out its pursuers. 



Woodland caribou migrate in herds of from one hundred to two hundred, or even 

 as many as five hundred head. During these periodical migrations, Mr. Lett says 

 that " they are easily killed in vast numbers by taking advantage of the wind, and 

 shooting them as they pass along. They are also frequently surprised crossing 

 rivers or lakes that intersect their line of march, when they become an easy prey 

 to hunters in canoes. In winter they are often seen upon the ice on inland lakes. 

 On such occasions they can be easily shot, provided they neither see nor smell the 

 hunter. The instant, however, they catch the scent of their hidden foe, they 

 vanish like a streak of light. I have heard it said by those who have seen 

 them scudding over the ice, like shadows, that in an incredibly short space of 

 time they appeared to the naked eye not larger than rabbits." Indeed, so swift 

 are they on the ice, that when caribou once set foot on it, the hunter who 

 knows his business immediately gives up the pursuit as hopeless. Solitary 

 caribou are more wary, and consequently more difficult to stalk, than those 

 in a herd. 



The time when caribou are most easily killed is during the months of March 

 and April, the snow having then a thin cake of ice on the surface, through which 

 the animals are constantly breaking, and are thus run down without much 

 difficulty by hunters on snow-shoes. 



There appears to be a lack of information as to the breeding-habits both of 



