350 UNGULATES. 



fully adult stags, are usually three or more in number; and also by the well- 

 marked backward curvature and want of convergence in the upper-part of the 

 beam. In colour the wapiti is dark brown on the head and neck, while the back, 

 flanks, and thighs are creamy grey, with the under-part of the body blackish. 

 The legs are brown, and the lower portion of the light patch on the buttocks is 

 bordered with black. Mr. Caton gives the height of a full-grown stag as rather 

 more than 5 feet 4 inches (16 hands), but other writers estimate the height 

 of the largest individuals at 5 feet 8 inches (17 hands) at the shoulder. The 

 usual weight is about 700 lbs., but it is said that large males will exceed 

 1000 lbs. in weight, although some full-grown females do not scale more than 

 400 lbs. 



In the fifth year the antlers develop five points; but after that period the 

 number increases irregularly, and there are frequently more snags on the one 

 antler than on the other. Very rarely is there any approach to the cup in 

 the crown of the antler distinctive of the red deer. Antlers of the wapiti attain 

 very large dimensions. Of two fine pairs in the collection of Mr. Otho Shaw, the 

 dimensions are as follows, in inches, — No. 1, length 49|, span 54, basal girth 8 ; 

 No. 2, length 55$, span 48f, basal girth 1\. In two examples belonging to Mr. E. 

 S. Cameron, the total lengths are respectively 53J and 55£ inches, the spans 47£ 

 and 44^ inches, and the basal girths just above the burr 9| and 10 inches. The 

 maximum recorded lengths are, however, 60f , 61$, 62, and 62£ inches. 



The range of the wapiti has of late years been greatly restricted by the 

 advance of civilisation, while the same cause, coupled with constant persecution on 

 the part of sportsmen, has likewise reduced its numbers in a corresponding degree. 

 Mr. W. A. Perry states, that the wapiti was formerly found in nearly all parts of 

 the United States, in Mexico, and in British America as far north as the 60th 

 parallel of north latitude ; but it has vanished before the approach of civilisation, 

 and is now found only in the remotest mountain fastnesses west of the Missouri 

 River, or in the great forests of British America. The largest herds now remaining 

 outside of the National Yellowstone Park are found in the Olympic Mountains of 

 Washington, and among the mountains of Vancouver Island. There are still 

 many remaining in the Cascade and Rocky ranges, but they do not congregate there 

 in large herds as they do in the Coast ranges. Another recent writer states, that 

 less than ten years ago there were many secluded districts in Colorado, Wyoming, 

 and Montana, where, during the late autumn and winter, wapiti might be seen 

 banded together in herds numbering many thousands of individuals; whereas 

 now, it is seldom that a hundred can be found together. 



The general habits of the wapiti seem to be very similar to those of the red 

 deer, the old stags living apart from the main herd during the greater part of the 

 year ; and in the pairing-season taking exclusive possession of a party of hinds, 

 after having vanquished their rivals in fight. The shedding of the antlers is late, 

 generally taking place in the full-grown stags during the latter part of December 

 or the first half of January. The new antlers begin to sprout in March or April, 

 and are fully complete by the middle of August. At this time the old stags begins 

 to call, the note being a roar very like that of the hangul. It has, however, been 

 compared to the bray of a donkey ; and it is suggested that it is partly from this 



