341 



THE WAPITI. 



The AVapiti (Cervus-eanadensis), the largest Deer on the 

 globe, exists onl}^ in North America, where it is often 

 erroneously called the Elk. Large herds of this animal 

 formerly ranged throughout the continent, but it has be- 

 come reduced in numbers, and its range has been re- 

 stricted. Now it is seldom seen anywhere except in Wash- 

 ington, Oregon, California, Montana, Wyoming, and on 

 Vancouver's Island; the largest herd remaining outside 

 of the Yellowstone Park, being found in the Olympic 

 Mountains in Washington and on the mountains on Van- 

 couver's Island. 



The Wapiti stands from five to six feet high, and al- 

 though large males sometimes exceed a thousand pounds 

 'in weight, the usual weight is about seven hundred pounds, 

 and full grown females often weigh less than four hun- 

 dred pounds. The color is dark brown on the head and 

 neck, a creamy grey on the back, flanks and sides, and 

 black on the under parts of the body. The legs are brown, 

 and there is a light patch bordered Avith black on the 

 buttocks. 



The full groAvn stag is really a magnificent creature, 

 symmetrical in form, and remarkable for the graceful ease 

 with which he carries the immense antlers. These some- 

 times attain to -a length of sixty inches and over, and in 

 the fifth year develop five points each, but after that 

 period the number increase irregularly so that in older 

 animals there are often more snags on one antler than the 

 other. The hinds are smaller and lighter in color than 

 the males, and have a more pointed nose, and fine, large, 

 plaintive eyes. The young are born in May, a single fawn 

 usually being produced at a birth, but occasionally two 

 appear. 



The general habits of the Wapiti are very similar to 

 those of the Bed Deer to which scientists say it belongs. 

 The old stag lives apart from the main herd during the 

 greater part of the year ; and in the pairing season after 

 having vanquished his rivals in a fight takes pos- 

 session of a party of hinds. At the breeding season 



