ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



BULLETIN 



.^ MAY 15 1917 ^ 



Published by the New York Zoological Society 4^.. .,xv<^\ 



Vol. XX 



MAY, 1917 



Number 3 



WHITE PATCH 



(The Biography of an Elk.) 

 By S. N. Leek. 



HE WAS born on Slate Creek near Mount 

 Lydia in Jackson's Hole very early in 

 the morning of May thirtieth, a small, 

 weak and helpless body mounted upon long, un- 

 gainly legs. He made several ineffectual at- 

 tempts to get up, but was forced to lie still and 

 rest. After several more attempts he succeed- 

 ed, but with legs spread far apart. In attempt- 

 ing to take a step, he fell to the ground. Sev- 

 eral times he tried before he successfully stood. 

 He braced himself for a few minutes, then took 

 several wabbly steps, and again fell. He then 

 lay still for some time. 



In the meantime the sun appeared over the 

 eastern hills, and its warmth revived the fawn. 

 After a few attempts, he got to his feet, and the 

 cow elk stood by his side and let him lean 

 against her body. He tried a few, feeble steps 

 and a short time later he took a little breakfast. 



This gave him renewed strength, and he was 

 able to walk some little distance in a hesitating, 

 wabbly way, finally to fall over a log, where 

 he lay utterly tired out. The cow lay down by 

 him for a few minutes, then got up and went to 

 a spring not far away, for a drink. As soon 

 as the cow had gone, a coyote appeared to 

 search for the fawn that instinct told her was 

 not far away. 



White Patch (for, henceforth, that is to be 

 his name), lay near the prostrate tree, his white 

 spots blending with the spots of sunlight that 

 filtered through the foliage above. The brick- 

 red color of his blend with the dry pine needles 

 and grass carpet made his outline hard to dis- 

 cern, even by a practiced eye. As White Patch . 

 lay outstretched not a movement could be ob- 

 served. Suddenly he heard a slight rustling 



of the grass, and then the coyote stepped upon 

 a fallen tree scarcely ten feet away, and looked 

 about. Her sensitive nostrils sniffed the warm, 

 damp air, and her ears were alert for the least 

 sound. Although she was on a hunt for food 

 for a hungry family, even with three senses 

 alert she failed to locate the helpless fawn, and 

 finally passed on. 



Soon the cow elk returned from the spring 

 and coaxed White Patch to his feet. He again 

 nursed, and as his mother fed on the tender 

 grass, he followed, gaining strength each min- 

 ute. The next day when his mother went to 

 the spring White Patch went with her. He 

 could now walk about without staggering, and 

 could even run a short distance in awkward 

 play. 



For a week thev remained in this quiet re- 

 treat. Once more during that time White Patch 

 saw the skulking coyote, but now he was strong 

 and swift, and his mother was near, so he felt 

 no fear. 



One afternoon as the shadows of the trees 

 began to lengthen on the ground, the cow elk 

 started off into the dark woods, and White 

 Patch followed after. The plain, well beaten 

 path led them among prostrate logs and great 

 trees. As they were passing beneath a large 

 tree he noticed a strange smell. Among the 

 branches overhead there was a slight movement 

 and a great animal sprang toward him. He 

 leaped nimbly to one side, and ran with all his 

 might. Long he ran, without trail or sense of 

 direction. 



Finally he saw many animals like his mother 

 that allowed him to approach, but did not ca- 

 ress him as his mother did. He felt verv lonelv 



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