164 THE DEER OF AMERICA. 
four inches long and five inches broad. It is situated behind the 
antlers one inch and four lines, and the ears are five inches apart. 
They are well clothed with hair on both sides. On the outside 
the hair is short and fine, of an ashy white color. On the in- 
side, the hair is not so dense, is longer, somewhat curled, and of a 
lighter color. Of the positions in which the ear is carried in life, 
under different circumstances, [ have had no opportunity for ob- 
serving, nor have I any satisfactory information. From the small 
size of the ear, we may assume that it is carried erect, and is not 
so liable as the ears of others to change position under differ- 
ent circumstances, 
On the reindeer of Europe the ear exactly corresponds in size 
and position with that of our caribou. I have never seen them 
when they were excited. When at rest ruminating, the ears 
stand quite erect, and are not often moved. : 
The ear of our Elk, or the Wapiti, is very large and coarse, and 
like that of C. alces, attracts attention by its unusual size. The 
maximum length of the ear of the adult Wapiti, is about nine 
inches, and its breadth seven inches, but there is an appreciable 
difference in the size of the ears, where there is not much differ- 
ence in the height of the animal. The ear is thick and coarse, 
but is well supported, though it is not carried so erect ordinarily 
as the smaller ears of the same species ; and when the animal lies 
quietly ruminating the ears lop, as if their weight was a burden 
upon the supporting muscles ; but when excited or alarmed, they 
are projected forward more nearly to a horizontal position, as if 
to catch the least sound. When a hostile feeling pervades the 
animal, the position varies according to circumstances. If the 
alarm is threatening and he is doubtful of the attack, the position 
of the ear is depressed and set backward. When the attack is 
determined upon and commenced, the ear is projected forward 
even more than in the listening attitude. I have often been 
interested to observe these different attitudes, when separated by 
a secure fence from the wicked buck, during the rutting season. 
If merely giving notice to leave, he would approach with a de- 
liberate, stately step, his ears laid back alongside his neck, his 
muzzle thrown up, so that the antlers were parallel with the 
back, the lips drawn back so as to present to view his front 
teeth, and a constant grating of the molars, which is a habit 
much affected by the male, whenever he feels cross or jealous. 
At such times the stranger, at least, always feels doubtful of the 
sufficiency of the fence which separates him from the threatening 
