THE LIFE OF MAMMALS 
been decidedly in error, however, when in this account he asserted that 
moose may not be “‘ called” by a bark horn, as is commonly done in eastern 
Canada. Many trustworthy sportsmen (the latest, Clive Phillipps-Woolley 
in his “ Big Game Shooting”’) established the fact that moose are called 
as successfully in Alaska and British Columbia as in Maine or New 
Brunswick. 
In the autumn the bull moose, their new antlers strong and 
bright, range the woods in search of mates, bawling out invi- 
tation and challenge night and day, and often engaging in 
terrific combats with rivals. At this season they are in prime 
condition as to both venison and robe, and are most easily pro- 
cured, either by being called within shot by means of a birch- 
bark horn imitating their cry, or by more ordinary methods. 
A bull moose is then a dangerous customer when cornered 
or wounded, for he will charge like a locomotive, and kill the 
hunter who cannot get away or stop him with a heavy bullet 
well planted. In May, or later, the mothers hide away and 
bear their young, which are spotted; a favorite lying-in place 
is an island, and the cow will stay upon it until her calf is a 
fortnight old. Calves brought up in captivity become pets, 
and even adult moose are gentle and tractable to an unusual 
degree, so that they have frequently been trained, both in Sweden 
and in Canada, to draw sledges and work like a horse. 
In snowy countries, such as New Brunswick, a moose family, 
with perhaps a stray companion or two, will “yard up,” as the 
hunters say, in preparation for winter. 
“About the first of November moose begin to look about for winter 
quarters. These are usually selected with reference to the abundance of 
Winter white birch, maples (white, striped, and swamp), poplar, 
Life. witch-hazel, mountain ash, and the different species of firs. 
While moose are not gregarious, several are often found feeding together 
in what are called ‘moose yards.’ These yards are simply their feeding 
grounds, and are made by the animals’ constant browsing about the pas- 
ture grounds, and are not the result of plan or thought. During the time 
of the falling of the snow they go around browsing, following each other 
318 
