TO YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. 69 
HYSTRICIDA. 
31, ERITHIZON EPIXANTHUS, Brandt. 
YELLOW-HAIRED POROUPINE. 
Quite common along the Missouri and in the “bottoms” of streams flowing into that river. 
We saw signs of its presence also in the National Park along the Yellowstone River. 
LEPORID 24. 
32, LEPUS CAMPESTRIS, Bachman. 
PRAIRIE HARE. 
This species is very abundant in some localities, while in others, quite as favorable for it, it is not 
found atall. In fact, the abundance or scarcity of the Prairie Hare in any district depends almost 
altogether on the number of wolves to be found in the same tract of country. Where all the 
coyotes and gray wolves have been killed or driven off, the hares exist in great numbers; but 
where the former are abundant, the latter are seldom seen. We saw none near the Missouri River, 
where the buffaloes, and consequently the wolves, were numerous; but at Camp Baker, where there 
were scarcely any wolves, the hares were very common. 
33. LEPUS ARTEMISIA, Bachman. 
SAGE RABBIT. 
Very abundant west of the Missouri in suitable localities, but its numbers controlled by the 
same causes spoken of in regard to the preceding species. 
CERVID &. 
34, ALOE AMERICANA, Jardine. 
~ MOOSE. 
This species is quite abundant in suitable localities in the Yellowstone Park, although, like all 
the large game, it has been driven away from the neighborhood of the trail by the constant pas- 
sage of travelers. We saw signs of its presence in the Bridger Mountains, and were told that there 
was a famous country for Moose about fifteen miles from the mouth of Trail Creek. 
The only living specimen that we saw was a young calf that had been captured by the son of 
a settler when it was but a few days old. When seen by us, is was probably about three months 
old, and was a most grotesque object. It was very tame, and would come at the call of its owner. 
35. CERVUS CANADENSIS, Eraleben. 
ELK. 
Elk were rather abundant all through the country which we traversed. They were seen in con- 
siderable numbers along the Missouri River, among the Bridger Mountains, and in the Yellowstone 
Park. Those killed early in September, at the commencement of the rutting-season, were fat and 
well flavored, furnishing us with delicious meat. 
The Elk rut in September, and the young are brought forth late in May or early in June. 
The “whistling” of the Elk is heard only for a few days during the early part of September. 
It is made up of several parts, and is so peculiar a cry that it can hardly be described, much less 
imitated. The first part consists of a prolonged, shrill whistle, which seems to come to the hearer 
from a long distance, even though the animal uttering it be quite near at hand. This is followed 
by a succession of short grunting brays or barks, three or four in number, and the call is completed 
by a low, smooth bellow. Sometimes the whistle is sounded without the succeeding parts. 
Withal, the cry is an odd one, and one that once heard will always afterward be recognized. 
