52 



GREAT GAME ANIMALS. 



with no distinct flattening. In the typical form of the Scandi- 

 navian or Common Elk (A, machlis), on the other hand, this branch 

 expands into a broad palmation, with one large tine at the base, and 

 a number of smaller snags on the free border. The palmation 

 appears to be more marked in the North American race (A. machlis 

 americaaus) than in the typical Scandinavian Elk. The largest 

 of all is the Alaskan race [A. m. gigas, 1262 A), which is said to 

 stand seven feet in height, with a span of six feet across the antlers. 

 A specimen presented by the Hon. W. Rothschild is shown. The 

 great length of the legs gives an ungainly appearance to Elk. 

 The muzzle is long and fleshy, with a triangular or "["-shaped naked 

 patch below the nostrils ; and the males have a sac, known as the 

 bell, hanging from the throat. From the shortness of their necks, 

 Elk are unable to graze when standing on level ground ; their 

 food consists of young shoots and leaves of willow and birch and 

 various water-plants. In North America during the winter one 

 male and several females form a " Mooseyard " in the forest, 

 which they keep open by trampling the snow. Although generally 

 timid, the males become very bold during the breeding-season, when 

 the females utter a loud call ; and at such times they fight both 

 with their antlers and their hoofs. The usual pace is a shambling 

 trot, but when pressed Elk break into a gallop. The female gives 

 birth to one or two young at a time, which are not spotted, 

 j . I p eer In the typical Deer of the genus Cervus, in its 

 wider sense, the antlers of the bucks are large and 

 GenilS CervilS. ar j se at an acu te angle from the forehead, while 

 [Lower they never divide in a regular forked manner. Very generally 

 Gallery* 1 ^ey are rounded, or slightly flattened, throughout their length. 

 Cases 61, but in the Fallow Deer they are expanded and palmate. The 

 o" D^E ] ma j or ^y °f ^ ne s P ec i es are confined to the Old World ; the North 

 American Wapiti being the only one found in the New World. 

 In habits, the Deer of this genus are gregarious animals during 

 the breeding-season, a herd of does and young bucks being- 

 headed by one old stag, who has obtained the leadership by 

 driving off his rivals. Usually one fawn is produced at a birth, 

 and this is carefully concealed by the hind in dense covert. All 

 Deer have very regular times of feeding. 



The collection of Deer of this and certain other genera has been 

 greatly enriched by specimens presented by the Duke of Bedford. 



