56 



MAMMALOGY. 



"In California, this animal is very abundant, and commonly fre- 

 c{uents the plains, as it does in the country on the upper parts of the 

 Missouri River. Though not generally so large as when found in- 

 habiting mountain districts, we can find no specific character to 

 separate one from the other. They all have the same strong, blunt, 

 canine teeth in the upper jaw only, light-colored rumps, short tails, 

 &c. They go in larger herds than any other deer in America, except- 

 ing, perhaps, the caribou [Gervus tarandas, L.), and, notwithstanding 

 the specific name, canadensis, must not be considered a northern 

 species." 



Dr. Pickering frequently mentions this animal in that portion of his 

 journal which relates to California. We take the liberty of introduc- 

 ing the following extracts, which are from his notes made during a 

 boat-voyage up the Sacramento River : 



"August 27th, 1841. — At sunset, a bear having been seen on the 

 bank, landed with Messrs. Alden, Sandford, Elliott, and Hammersly, 

 when we immediately discovered a herd of elk, which we endeavored 

 to approach within gunshot, abandoning our proposed search for the 

 bear. 



" The herd consisted of perhaps thirty, principally females, or young 

 males, and as they formed themselves into a group, apparently await- 

 ing our arrival, presented a highly imposing appearance. The father 

 or chieftain of the flock maintained in some measure a posititm in the 

 centre, and his immense horns appeared almost to overshadow the 

 party. At intervals they uttered a short kind of roar, more like 

 barking than the voice of a hoofed animal, and our situation would 

 have been exceedingly precarious, were it the instinct of this animal 

 to attack man. They did not allow us to approach within the range 

 of our fire-arms, but after turning and wheeling around several times, 

 made off at such a rate that, considering the lateness of the hour, we 

 did not deem it prudent to pursue. 



" September 2d. — Elk heard whistling, and a young male with two 

 females noticed by a party which landed. Did not allow us to ap- 

 proach within gunshot. 



" September 9th. — The velvety covering of the horns of the elk is 

 stated by Dr. Richardson, in Fauna Boreali-Americana, to be rubbed 

 off in October. This is evidently dependent somewhat on locality, as 

 here, in California, it Avas completely gone in the last week of August. 



