94 



THE AMERICAN MOOSE 



close neighbors. But George Shiras, 3d/'^ relates 

 instances of the moose's disregard of men in the 

 Kenai Peninsula more striking than any ever 

 observed by the author in Eastern Canada and 

 Maine. 



Mr. Shiras tells how he photographed an old 

 cow at a mud-hole much frequented by the moose. 



"Determined to try for a close picture, and to 

 test her disposition when thus interrupted, I 

 boldly walked in view, crossing the bare and 

 much-trampled field to within fifty feet. She 

 stood broadside, head up, and unquestionably 

 looking at me out of one eye, but to all appear- 

 ances utterly indifferent to my approach. Taking 

 a picture, I went a little closer, when she turned 

 away without looking, and again the camera 

 recorded the scene. 



"While changing plate-holders, I was surprised 

 to see the moose turn about and come toward 

 me on a slow trot. To the uninitiated this would 

 probably have meant a bold charge, and to the 

 nature faker suflficient grounds for an exciting 

 story. . . . Wishing to avoid alarming her so soon, 

 I backed across the field to the edge of the marsh, 

 but she still followed. Turning my back to the 

 animal, I walked ahead, and upon reaching a place 



u National Geographic Magazine^ May, 19 12, pp. 447, 449. 



