614 HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



which the animal can walk, and a kind of fortress in which it can 

 dwell securely. The whole of the space is not trodden down to 

 one uniform level, hut consists of a network of roads or passages 

 through which the animal can pass at ease. So confident is the 

 Elk in the security of the " yard," that it can scarcely ever be 

 induced to leave its snowy fortification, and pass into the open 

 ground. 



This habit renders it quite secure from the attacks of wolves, 

 which prowl about the outside of the yard, but dare not venture 

 within ; but, unfortunately for the Elk, the very means which 

 preserve it from one danger only lead it into another. If the 

 hunter can come upon one of these Elk-yards, he is sure of his 

 qtilirTy ; for the animal will seldom leave the precincts of the 

 snowy inclosure, and the rifle-hall soon lays low the helpless 

 victims. 



The Elk is not the only animal that makes these curious 

 fortifications, for a herd of Wapiti deer will frequently unite in 

 forming a common home. 



One of these "yards" has been known to measure between 

 four or five miles in diameter, and to be a perfect network of 

 paths sunk in the snow. So deep indeed is the snow when 

 untrodden, that when the deer traverse the paths, their backs 

 cannot be seen above the level of the white surface. Although 

 of such giant size, the " yard " is not by any means a conspicuous 

 object, and at a distance of a quarter of a mile or so, a noviee 

 may look directly at the spot without perceiving the numerous 

 paths. This curious fact can easily be understood by those 

 of my readers who have visited one of our modem fortifications, 

 and have seen the slopes of turf apparently unbroken, although 

 filled with deep trenches. 



Thebe are many other animala which form temporary habita- 

 tions in which they can remain concealed, because they are 

 taught by instinct how to make their domicile harmonize with 

 the surrounding objects. 



One very familiar instance may be foxmd in the common 

 Hase, whose "form" is large enough to shelter the owner, 

 and yet is so inconspicuous that the animal often lies undis- 

 covered, though a human being has passed within a couple of 

 paces of its home. The Hare is never at a loss for a home, and 



