460 THE ELK. 



The elk is somewhat migratory, moving to a considerable 

 distance from its summer haunts on the approach of winter ; 

 and, although ten or a dozen elks may frequently be seen 

 herding together, it is not strictly gregarious. In the more 

 dreary and desolate regions towards the Arctic Circle, it is 

 seldom that more than a couple of these shy and solitary 

 animals are seen together. They feed upon the American 

 hemlock, cedar, fir or pine, maple, birch, willow, and other 

 trees. The Americans call the salt-springs deer-licks, because 

 the deer and elks frequently repair to them not only to eat the 

 saline herbage, but to lick the wet pebbles. When alarmed, 

 and occasionally during the rutting season, the elk utters a 

 peculiar sort of whistle, which is said to be truly frightful. 

 Its senses of hearing and smelling being highly acute, it soon 

 detects the approach of an enemy, and when frightened it sets 

 off at great speed ; but when all escape is hopeless, it stands at 

 bay ready to dash at and demolish the hunter, and crush his 

 dogs beneath its feet. 



The female usually produces two young ones at a birth, 

 generally about the end of April. 



Audubon observes, that the elk " considerably resembles the 

 horse in its conformation, and in its disposition still more, 

 having much of the sagacity as well as viciousness of that 

 animal j" and it maybe added that many attempts have been 

 made in America to break the elk into harness, but seemingly 

 without success. The flesh, or venison, is eaten, but said to 

 taste like beef; and the skins are used for clothing, as well as 

 for constructing canoes, and covering huts or wigwams. 



THE REIN-DEER. (Cervus Tarandus, Linn.) 



The rein- deer is abundant in its wild state in the colder parts 

 of Europe, Asia, and America. In America its range extends 

 to a much lower latitude than in the Old World, and passing 



