THE ELK. — FOOD AND HABITS. 83 



The flesh is fine flavored, but differs from all other venison. 

 It is more nutritious than any other meat of which I have 

 knowledge. A hungry laboring man is satisfied with about half 

 the amount which would be required of beef. This nutritious 

 quality of the flesh of the Elk is first alluded to by Lewis and 

 Clark, and is fully confirmed by my observations. 



FOOD AND HABITS. 



This animal is the most promiscuous consumer of all the deer. 

 All the grasses and most of the weeds within his reach are taken 

 freely, and the leaves and twigs of all the deciduous trees are 

 alike enjoyed. A considerable proportion of his daily food he 

 desires to be arboreous, yet if deprived of it he will keep in good 

 condition on herbaceous food alone. 



In winter, he will take the coarsest food ; even that which 

 the ox and the horse reject, he eats freely. 



They are gregarious in their habits both in a wild and domes- 

 tic state, although they do not keep in close clusters like sheep, 

 or gather generally in large droves like the bison. They are 

 more separated in summer than in winter. During the rutting 

 season, the monarch of the herd drives off the other bucks, and 

 gathers the does into a band, which he appropriates to himself 

 as much as possible. The other bucks hover around in his vi- 

 cinity, generally keeping together, and annoying the chief by 

 their unwelcome presence, and occasionally stealing away a part 

 of liis harem, for the does will slip away from his tyrannical rule 

 whenever they get a chance. He is grossly ungallant in his self- 

 ishness, driving a doe from any choice bit she may find, with as 

 little ceremony or affection as he would a buck. He has evi- 

 dently no idea of love or affection, and is only pleased to act the 

 tyrant and seek his own gratification, perfectly regardless of the 

 feelings of others. Still there are degrees in this regard among 

 different individuals. 



The mother, however, has a strong affection for her young, and 

 will defend it with great energy. Their greatest antipathy is 

 dogs, and if one gets into the park, they harry him with a ter- 

 rible ferocity. The does show this disposition to the greatest 

 extent ; but the bucks generally join in the chase, and the whole 

 herd go tearing away at a rattling pace through the brush or 

 across the open space, uttering their fierce squeal in a waj^ that 

 might frighten a lion. If the unfortunate cur is overtaken before 



