72 Frerp Museum or Naturat History — Zoétocy, Vou. XI. 
but generally the vanquished is but slightly injured and goes away in 
search of other cows which by chance may be husbandless or at least 
are guarded by a bull less powerful than himself. 
One old and lusty bull will appropriate for his harem as many cows 
as he can get and will attack and drive away any presumptuous young 
bull which has the temerity to approach them. If, however, the battle 
results disastrously to the reigning lord of the herd, his conqueror will 
immediately take charge of the family of cows, who accept him as a 
matter of course. During the rutting season (and occasionally at other 
times) the bulls utter their ‘‘bugle”’ cry. It begins with a low roaring 
sound, rising to a shrill, screaming, double-toned whistle and ends witha 
series of loud grunts. The cry of the cow is penetrating and high, and 
may be crudely described as a squeal. 
The majority of the young are born late in May or early in June but 
occasionally much later. On two occasions I have found newly born 
young in August. The number at a birth is usually one, sometimes two, 
and according to some authorities, rarely three. For a few days after 
birth, or until it has become quite strong and active, the little Elk calf is 
left concealed under bushes or high grass by the mother, who returns 
to it from time to time to suckle and care for it. On several occasions 
I have found young Elk thus hidden, which were certainly not more than 
a day or two old. Those which I have found would remain perfectly 
quiet and permit themselves to be stroked, but if lifted from the ground 
would usually struggle and “‘bleat’”’ loudly. Young animals are spotted 
with white, but the spots fade and disappear when they are about 12 
weeks old. 
The size of the antlers and number of points vary more or less in 
different animals of the same age. One bull born in my Park*, when 8 
years old, had a fine pair of antlers having 14 points, while another 9 
years old had but 13. According to my notes the annual increase in 
size and number of points of the antlers of the latter bull were as follows: 
Summer of birth, 0; 2nd year, spikes (not branched); 3rd year, 4 points 
on each antler= 8; 4th year, like 3rd year but a small extra point on left 
antler, 9 points in all; 5th year, 6 points on each antler= 12; 6th year, no 
record, one horn having been broken; 7th year, 12 points, 6 on each 
antler; 8th year, 7 points on one antler and 6 on the other; oth year, the 
same number of points, but horns somewhat larger and heavier and 
* For many years the writer had a small herd of Elk on his country estate at 
Great Island near Hyannis, Massachusetts. The animals lived in a semiferal state, 
being confined in a wooded park having an area of about 175 acres. In 1go1 the 
herd numbered 12 animals, including 3 bulls, 7 cows, and 2 calves, having increased 
from 2 bulls and 4 cows in 1890. In addition to those living in 1901, 4 bulls, 2 cows, 
and several calves had died or been killed (2 dead calves were found but there is no 
doubt there were others). 
