168 
FRANK FORESTER’S FIELD SPORTS. 
misconceived. Under the influence of this powerful, though 
temporary excitement, the males battle furiously with each 
other, and resist the aggressions of man himself with vigor and 
effect. 
“In the summer, the Moose frequents swampy, or low 
grounds, near the margins of lakes and rivers, through which 
they delight to swim, as it frees them from the annoyance of 
the insects. They are also seen wading out from the shores, 
for the purpose of feeding on the aquatic plants which rise from 
the water. At this season they regularly visit the same place, 
in order to drink, of which circumstance the Indian hunter takes 
advantage to lie in ambush, and secure the destruction of the 
Deer. At such drinking-places, as many as eight or ten pairs 
of Moose horns have been picked up. 
“ During the winter the Moose, in families of fifteen or twenty, 
seek the depths of the forest for shelter and food. Such a herd 
will range throughout an extent of about five hundred acres, 
subsisting upon the mosses attached to the trees, or browsing 
the tender branches of saplings, especially of the trees called 
Moose-wood. The Indians name parts of the forest thus occu 
pied Moose-yards. 
“In Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Island of Grand- 
Manan, the Moose is generally hunted in the month of March, 
when the snow is deep, and sufficiently crusted with ice to bear 
the weight of a dog, not that of a Moose, as has been stated. 
Five or six men, provided with knapsacks, containing food for 
as many days, and all necessary implements for building their 
* camp’ at night, set out in search of a Moose-yard. When they 
have discovered one, they collect their dogs, and encamp for 
the night, in order to be ready to commence the chace at an 
early hour, before the sun softens the crust upon the snow, which 
would be the means of retarding the dogs, and facilitating the 
escape of the Deer. At daybreak, the dogs are laid on, and the 
hunters, wearing large snow-shoes, follow as closely as possible. 
As soon as the dogs approach a Moose, they assail him on all 
sides, and force him to attempt his escape bv flight. The Deer, 
