THE ELK IGl 



niiinial whose trn('k>^ are everywhere visihh^ and tlic Inio-e 

 size (»f tliose tracks, so far larger even than those made l)y 

 tlie wapiti or great red stag of the Rocky ]\Ioiintains, gives 

 the elk an air of mystery which adds a zest (o his cajiture. 

 His curious antediluvian ap})caraiu'e, causcfl hy abnor- 

 mal ly high shoulders and great bulbous upper liji, which 

 was surely natures lirst attempt in the direction of the 

 elephant's trunk, adds to the impression that he is the for- 

 gotten remnant of a bvgone period and of contemporaries 

 wlio must be souii'lit for in the coal-measures and Irish 

 bogs. Old Bishop l*(intop})idan credits him with such 

 length of leg "that a man may stand U})right undei' his 

 belly," but this is of course an instance of the glamour 

 wliicli surrounds the animal. 



The elk makes his home in the l)oundless forests of 

 spruce and birch which clothe the central ])lateau of the 

 Scandinavian piMiinsula. ""I'liese verge on tlie monotonous, 

 but are saved from it l»y the ever-varying views of lakes 

 of all sizes, and countless number, which dot the woods, 

 by the bogs which once were lakes, by the gardens of 

 mosses and lichens, furnished forth by every fallen and 

 rotting tree-stem: and, lastlw by the sound of l)ii(]-life 

 which alone breaks tlie silence. The capercailzie, moi'e 

 often heard than seen, rises with heavy bustlini'- tlii>-lit, 

 and tlump> inlo a fir tree a liinidre<l yards awav. sui'veys 

 the position, and waits for nou to pass — at least that is his 

 practice when nou <lon't want him ; or a covey of the 

 beautiful white-winged grouse, wliicli remind yon by ilnii- 

 ci-ow that thev are the near illations <if I lie Scotch grouse, 

 and wliicli. wlicii \'ou want a diaiigi' li-Min ■• rlJduM-."" will 

 afford vou adeli'dilful da\s uunniiiL; anionL-' the iiatches of 



iM 



