ELK. 
dimensions. 
87 
Adult male (killed on the Upper Missouri River). 
From nose to root of tail, - - . . 
Feet. 
Inches. 
- 7 
8# 
Length of tail, 
- 0 
4 
If 
of eye, 
- 0 
1| 
From tip of nose to root of ear, - - . 
- 1 
8 
Length of ear, 
- 0 
Height to .shoulders, 
- 4 
10 
Rump, 
- 5 
2 
Girth back of fore-legs, - - . . . 
- 5 
61 
The females we measured were rather smaller than the above : one 
killed on the Yellow Stone River measured seven feet six and a half 
inches from nose to root of tail, and four feet seven inches from top of 
shoulder to the ground. 
habits. 
On our plate we have represented a pair of Elks in the foreground of 
a prairie scene, with a group of small figures in the distance; it gives 
but a faint idea of this animal in its wild and glorious prairie home : Ob- 
serve the splendid buck, as he walks lightly, proudly, and gracefully 
along. It is the season of love : his head is raised above the willows bor- 
dering the large sand-bar on the shores of the Missouri, his spreadin*^ 
antlers have acquired their full growth, the velvet has been rubbed off 
and they are hard and polished. His large amber-coloured eyes are 
brightened by the sun, his neck is arched, and every vein is distended. 
He looks ai-ound and snuffs the morning air with dilated nostrils : anon 
he stamps the earth with his fore-feet and utters a shrill cry somewhat 
like the noise made by the loon. When he discovers a group of females 
he raises Ins head, inclines it backwards, and giving another trumpet-like 
whistle, dashes off to meet them, making the willows and other small 
trees yield and crack as he rushes by. He soon reaches the group, but proba- 
bly finds as large and brave a buck as himself gallanting the fair objects of 
his pursuit, and now his eyes glow with rage and jealousy, his teeth are 
lercely champed together making a loud harsh noise, his hair stands 
erect, and with the points of his immense horns lowered like the lance 
of a doughty knight in times of yore, he leaps towards his rival and im- 
