THE WAPITI. 85 



females, however, being generally fatter than the males, 

 are more easily run down. The prints of the Caribou 

 footsteps in the snow resemble those of a bullock, though 

 they are longer. 



In the summer and autumn, if pursued, the Caribou 

 betakes itseF, whenever practicable, to the nearest swamp 

 as a refuge. If pressed, its pace is very rapid, and it 

 takes extraordinary leaps in its stride ; at such times, 

 however, it will occasionally turn and stand at bay, show- 

 ing fight with the utmost determination. When moving 

 quickly the same sharp clicking sound is made by the 

 hoofs which has been previously adverted to in describing 

 the moose. 



The Wapiti {Cervus Canadensis) would appear, from 

 its specific name, to be entitled to a place among the 

 large game of Canada, but is, in fact, found no further 

 south than the limits of the North- West Territory; 

 ranging as far as 56° or 57° in the opposite direction. 

 It is, however, so beautiful an animal that I gladly 

 avail myself of its name to give a short description of it. 



Though frequently classed under the genus Elajyhus, it 

 is included by Baird in the present one, as keeping 

 all the deer with naked muzzles together. 



It stands about four and a half feet high at the 

 shoulder, or nearly a foot higher than the red-deer 

 of Scotland, though in general form both are very 



