164 THE DEER OF AMERICA. 



four inches long and five inches broad. It is situated behind the 

 antlers one inch and four lines, and the ears are five inches apart. 

 They are well clothed with hair on both sides. On the outside 

 the hair is short and fine, of an ashy white color. On the in- 

 side, the hair is not so dense, is longer, somewhat curled, and of a 

 lighter color. Of the positions in which the ear is carried in life, 

 under different circumstances, I have had no opportunity for ob- 

 serving, nor have I any satisfactory information. From the small 

 size of the ear, we may assume that it is carried erect, and is not 

 so liable as the ears of others to change position under differ- 

 ent circumstances. 



On the reindeer of Europe the ear exactly corresponds in size 

 and position with that of our caribou. I have never seen them 

 ■when they were excited. When at rest ruminating, the ears 

 stand quite erect, and are not often moved. 



The ear of our Elk, or the Wapiti, is very large and coarse, and 

 like that of C. alces, attracts attention by its unusual size. The 

 maximum length of the ear of the adult Wapiti, is about nine 

 inches, and its breadth seven inches, but there is an appreciable 

 difference in the size of the ears, where there is not much differ- 

 ence in the height of the animal. The ear is thick and coarse, 

 but is well supported, though it is not carried so erect ordinarily 

 as the smaller ears of the same species ; and when the animal lies 

 quietly ruminating the ears lop, as if their weight was a burden 

 upon the supporting muscles ; but when excited or alarmed, they 

 are projected forward more nearly to a horizontal position, as if 

 to catch the least sound. When a hostile feeling pervades the 

 animal, the position varies according to circumstances. If the 

 alarm is threatening and he is doubtful of the attack, the position 

 of the ear is depressed and set backward. When the attack is 

 determined upon and commenced, the ear is projected forward 

 even more than in the listening attitude. I have often been 

 interested to observe these different attitudes, when separated by 

 a secure fence from the wicked buck, during the rutting season. 

 If merely giving notice to leave, he would approach with a de- 

 liberate, stately step, his ears laid back alongside his neck, his 

 muzzle thrown up, so that the antlers were parallel with the 

 back, the lips drawn back so as to present to view his front 

 teeth, and a constant grating of the molars, which is a habit 

 much affected by the male, whenever he feels cross or jealous. 

 At such times the stranger, at least, always feels doubtful of the 

 sufficiency of the fence which separates him from the threatening 



