IV THE BIG GAME OF ALASKA 59 



to be distinct from Alces americanus, whicli is found fartlier 

 south in Canada and elsewhere. The former is by far the 

 larger and finer animal as regards size, weight, and the 

 spread of its antlers. In fact, during recent years the Kenai 

 Peninsula has produced such heads as the old moose-hunters 

 in Canada never imagined to exist even in their wildest 

 dreams. 



As regards their distribution, moose may be said to 

 extend to the very limits of the forest line. Outside of this, 

 on the barren lands they are not found. 



In late summer and autumn the moose on the Kenai 

 Peninsula assume a very dark colour, particularly the old 

 bulls, whilst in winter they change their coat and become 

 almost grey in the thick under-coat, with the longer hairs 

 turning a light brown. The bull moose has a curious growth 

 of long hair, which is called a bell, hanging from beneath the 

 throat. In young bulls I have seen this bell as long as 

 15 inches, but in the older animals it is often worn away till 

 it becomes little more than a pouch of slack skin covered 

 with long hair, the long hanging tassel of hair having quite 

 disappeared. 



In ordinary seasons, on the Kenai Peninsula, moose 

 have lost the velvet from their antlers by the end of the first 

 week in September, the young bulls getting clean heads earlier 

 than the old ones. In 1903, however, I saw several heads, 

 both large and small, which still carried portions of velvet 

 as late as September 15, and one even on September 20. 

 The old bulls shed their antlers during December, but the 

 young ones carry them much later, and according to the 

 natives may be seen in February still carrying them, although 

 the majority shed their antlers during January. 



Space, and the nature of this work, do not admit of a 



