THE AMERICAN ELK OR WAPITI. 



[Cervus canadensis.) 



Centuries ago, before Columbus sailed 

 the unknown seas which divided him 

 from the New World of his dreams and 

 ambitions, before the birth of De Soto, 

 that adventurer whose discoveries and 

 conquests were to unfold to the Old 

 World the mysteries and fascinations of 

 the new land, through the virgin forest 

 and over the broad plains as yet unknown 

 to the white race, roamed many animals 

 which were widely distributed through- 

 out North America. 



Tii!ey fearlessly sought those localities 

 which would furnish them the most 

 abundant supply of food and water. Un- 

 molested except by their natural enemies, 

 they multiplied and lived a free and un- 

 trammeled life. 



In these early times the Wapiti or the 

 American Elk, as it is commonly though 

 erroneously called, was probably the most 

 widely distributed quadruped in North 

 Am.erica. Its range extended from the 

 northern part of Mexico northward to 

 Hudson's Bay and from the Atlantic to 

 the Pacific Ocean. At the present time, 

 however, but a few wild individuals are 

 left in the United States east of the Mis- 

 sissippi and lower Missouri Rivers. 

 They are occasionally met with in the 

 wilder regions bordering Lake Superior, 

 and it is reported that they are still living 

 in the mountainous regions of Pennsyl- 

 vania and Virginia. The advance of 

 civilization, causing the cultivation of 

 the lands and the destruction of the for- 

 ests, has gradually driven this noble ani- 

 mal to the westward and into the wilds 

 of British America. In the states bor- 

 dering the Pacific Ocean and along the 

 western tributaries of the Mississippi 

 and the Missouri rivers it is still quite 

 common. One writer tells us that "in 

 the rich pasture lands of the San Joaquin 

 and Sacramento it formerly was to be 

 seen in immense droves and with the an- 

 telope, the black-tailed deer, the wild cat- 

 tle and mustangs covered those plains 

 with herds rivalling those of the bison 

 east of the mountains or of the antelope in 

 South Africa." 



The name Wapiti is of Indian origin, 

 and in their language is used to desig- 

 nate a Rock Mountain goat. The name 

 elk so commonly appHed to this animal 

 should properly be limited to the moose. 

 The Wapiti is closely related and be- 

 longs to the same genus as the famous 

 stag or red deer (Cervus elaphas) of 

 Europe. This animal, which is smaller 

 than the Wapiti, inhabits the forests of 

 mountainous regions. 



In both the Wapiti and the stag the 

 senses of sight, hearing and smell are 

 well developed. They will detect a 

 human being or other animal when some 

 distance away. Though their acute 

 senses protect them, they are said to have 

 poor memories as well as weak powers 

 of comprehension. The Wapiti when 

 listening raises its head and throws for- 

 ward its erected ears. When entering 

 the forest it will examine the surround- 

 ing open country and sniff the wind, 

 seeking possible danger. 



The antlers of both Wapiti and stag 

 are much alike, though those of the 

 former are longer and heavier, corre- - 

 sponding to its larger size. The full I 

 growth of the horns is attained about the 

 seventh year. The perfect horns are 

 slightly oval in transverse section and 

 thickly covered with warts or slight ele- 

 vations, which are arranged in longitudi- 

 nal lines. All the branches or prongs 

 are situated on the front side of the mani 

 trunk. "The general color is a light 

 chestnut red, which deepens into a 

 brownish hue on the neck and legs and 

 almost into a black on the throat and 

 along the median line of the under sur- 

 face of the body. The buttocks are yel- 

 lowish white, bordered by a dusky band 

 which extends down the posterior surface 

 of the hind legs." In winter the fur is 

 much thicker and finer and the general 

 color is more gray than in sunnner. 

 "During the mating season the males 

 have fierce combats, and at this time the 

 male Wapiti emits a peculiar noise, re- 

 se]t;nbling the braying of an ass, beginning 

 With a loud shrill tone and ending in a 



