llows the moose by his track, easily
discovered in the snow; but it is necessary to approach from the
leeward, as the slightest sound borne to his ear upon the breeze is
sufficient to start him off. A very singular habit of the moose adds to
the difficulty of approaching him. When he has the intention to repose,
he turns sharply out of the general track he has been following, and
then, making a circuit, lies down, his body being hidden by the
surrounding snow. In this lair he can hear any one passing along the
track he has made; and, thus warned, his escape is easy. The hunter who
understands his business can usually give a guess (from a survey of the
ground) of where these detours are likely to be taken, and takes his
measures accordingly. When within range, the hunter usually makes some
noise, as by snapping a twig: the moose starts to his feet, and shows
himself above the snow. For a moment he squats on his hams, before
starting off. This is the fatal moment, for it is the time for the
hunter to take sure aim and send the fatal bullet. If the shot prove
only a slight wound, and not mortal, the moose sometimes turns upon his
enemy; and if a friendly tree be not convenient, the hunter stands a
good chance of being trampled to death. In the rutting season the moose
will assail even man himself without provocation; and at such times the
old "bulls" (as the hunters term the males) have terrible conflicts with
one another.

The habits of the elk of Northern Europe appear to be identical with the
moose of America. Hunting it in Sweden and Norway is a favourite sport,
and its flesh is eaten, the nose and tongue being esteemed great
delicacies, as they are in America. It is related that elks were
formerly used in Sweden to draw the sledge; but, for certain reasons,
this was prohibited by law.

In point of size, the _Wapiti_ stands next to the elk. In shape he
resembles the well-known Stag or Red Deer of our parks, but is much
larger. The wapiti is exclusively a native of North America; and it may
be remarked that his range is more southerly, and not so northerly as
that of the moose. He is not found so far south as the Southern States,
nor farther north than the Canadas; but around the great lakes, and
westward to the Rocky Mountains, and even to the Pacific, the wapiti is
met with. He is a noble creature--perhaps the noblest of the deer
tribe--and it is a boast of the backwoods' hunter to have killed an elk;