THE WAPITI. 693 



then cover the aperture with a slab of ice or frozen snow, which is balanced on two 

 pivots in such a way that when a Deer treads upon the treacherous floor it suddenly 

 gives way, tilts him into the pit, and resumes its position in readiness for another victim. 

 Another plan is to make a large inclosure, at least a mile in circumference, and to drive 

 the Deer into its fatal precincts. The space within the inclosure is formed into numerous 

 alleys, in each of which are long nooses, so that the Deer are caught and strangled as 

 they move to and fro within the pound. 



WE now come to the Deer which inhabit the warm or temperate regions of the 

 world, and which include the greater portion of the family. The first on the list is the 

 WAPITI, or CAROLINA STAG. 



This magnificent animal is one of the largest of the Deer tribe, the adult male 

 measuring nearly five feet in height at the shoulders, and about seven feet nine inches 

 from the nose to the root of the tail. It is a native of North America, where it is 

 popularly known under the name of the Elk. 



The Wapiti lives in herds of variable numbers, some herds containing only ten or 

 twenty members, while others are found numbering three or four hundred. These 

 herds are always under the command of one old and experienced buck, who exercises 

 the strictest discipline over his subjects, and exacts implicit and instantaneous obedi- 

 ence. When he halts, the whole herd suddenly stop, and when he moves on, the herd 

 follow his example. There must be some method by which he communicates his 

 orders to his followers, as the entire herd will wheel right or left, advance or retreat, 

 with an almost military precision. 



This position of dignity is not easily assumed, and is always won by dint of sheer 

 strength and courage, the post being held against all competitors at the point of the 

 horn. The combats that take place between the males are of a singularly fierce 

 character, and often end in the death of the weaker competitor. An instance is known 

 where a pair of these animals have perished in a manner similar to that which will be 

 related of the carjacou, their horns having been inextricably locked together, causing 

 the poor creatures to die a sad death of hunger and thirst. When attacked by the 

 hunter, and wounded with a hurt that is not immediately mortal, the Wapiti will turn 

 fiercely on his opponent, and fight with the reckless courage of despair. 



Although the bucks display such courage in fighting for their spouses, they treat them 

 very harshly when they have secured them, and always keep the poor creatures in 

 constant fear. It is not until they have lost their horns that the does seem to lose the 

 feelings of terror with which they regard their hard-hearted mates. 



Even in captivity the male Wapiti retains its combative nature, as may be seen 

 from the following anecdote, which is related in the work of Messrs. Audubon and 

 Bachinan. 



" A gentleman in the interior of Pennsylvania, who kept a pair of Elks (Wapitis) in a 

 large woodland pasture, was in the habit of taking pieces of bread or a few handfuls of 

 corn with him when he walked in the inclosure, to feed these animals, calling them up 

 for the amusement of his friends. Having occasion to pass through his park one day, 

 and not having furnished himself with bread or corn for his pets, he was followed by 

 the buck, who expected his usual gratification. The gentleman, irritated by the per- 

 tinacity with which he was accompanied, turned round, and picking up a small stick, 

 hit the animal a smart blow ; upon which, to his astonishment and alarm, the buck, 

 lowering his head, rushed at him, and made a furious pass with his horns. 



Luckily, he stumbled as he attempted to fly, and fell over the prostrate trunk of a 

 tree near which lay another log, and being able to throw his body between the two 

 trunks, the Elk was unable to injure him, although it butted at him repeatedly, 

 and kept him prisoner for more than an hour. Not relishing this proceeding, 

 the gentleman, as soon as he escaped, gave orders to have the unruly animal de- 

 stroyed." 



The Wapiti is a good swimmer, and even when very young, will fearlessly breast the 

 current of a wide and rapid river. Like many of the larger animals, it is fond of 

 submerging itself under water in the warm weather, for the sake of cooling its heated 



