THE ELK.— FOOD AND HABITS. 83 
The flesh is fine flavored, but differs from all other venison. 
It is more nutritious than any other meat of which I have 
knowledge. A hungry laboring man is satisfied with about half 
the amount which would be required of beef. This nutritious 
quality of the flesh of the Elk is first alluded to by Lewis and 
Clark, and is fully confirmed by my observations. 
FOOD AND HABITS. 
This animal is the most promiscuous consumer of all the deer. 
All the grasses and most of the weeds within his reach are taken 
freely, and the leaves and twigs of all the deciduous trees are 
alike enjoyed. A considerable proportion of his daily food he 
desires to be arboreous, yet if deprived of it he will keep in good 
condition on herbaceous food alone. 
In winter, he will take the coarsest food; even that which 
the ox and the horse reject, he eats freely. 
They are gregarious in their habits both in a wild and domes- 
tic state, although they do not keep in close clusters like sheep, 
or gather generally in large droves like the bison. They are 
more separated in summer than in winter. During the rutting 
season, the monarch of the herd drives off the other bucks, and 
gathers the does into a band, which he appropriates to himself 
as much as possible. The other bucks hover around in his vi- 
cinity, generally keeping together, and annoying the chief by 
their unwelcome presence, and occasionally stealing away a part. 
of his harem, for the does will slip away from his tyrannical rule 
whenever they get a chance. He is grossly ungallant in his self- 
ishness, driving a doe from any choice bit she may find, with as 
little ceremony or affection as he would a buck. He has evi- 
dently no idea of love or affection, and is only pleased to act the 
tyrant and seek his own gratification, perfectly regardless of the 
feelings of others. Still there are degrees in this regard among 
different individuals. 
The mother, however, has a strong affection for her young, and 
will defend it with great energy. Their greatest antipathy is 
dogs, and if one gets into the park, they harry him with a ter- 
rible ferocity. The does show this disposition to the greatest 
extent ; but the bucks generally join in the chase, and the whole 
herd go tearing away at a rattling pace through the brush or 
across the open space, uttering their fierce squeal in a way that 
might frighten a lion. If the unfortunate cur is overtaken before 
