226 THE WILDERNESS AND JUNGLE 



of his danger by trotting up to him and trying 

 to attract his attention. Unfortunately for the 

 big stag (but fortunately for myself), the great 

 depth *of the valley into which his big friend 

 had fed thwarted his gallant attempt." 



The caribou of Canada (also found in some 

 of the northern States) is the same animal as 

 the European reindeer, though Americans in- 

 sist on distinguishing two different kinds, the 

 Barren Ground and the Woodland caribou, the 

 latter being much larger and more southern 

 in its range. A full-grown stag may stand 

 4j ft. at the shoulder, and in Newfoundland 

 even taller examples have been shot. The 

 longest recorded antler is 62 in. As in the 

 reindeer, both sexes carry antlers, and both, 

 of course, cast them each season. 



Caribou feed on moss and lichens, also on 

 cranberries and other wild fruits. The Wood- 

 land caribou keeps in the same district as a 

 rule, though restless at some seasons of the year ; 

 but the Barren Ground kind band together in 

 immense herds and perform long migrations 

 east and west at regular intervals, a habit 

 taken advantage of by those who shoot them. 

 This animal has, as already mentioned, splay 

 feet, which enable it to run at great pace over 



