Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-03-18
NEW SERIES, NO. 1l6.
IEnMS, saoo at the years. ead.
The Moose Deer.


The Moose Deer (Alces An. .ricanna) is the
largest Of its tribe, and, like the reindeer, is
confined to the older portions of the Northern
Hemisphere, although between more southern
parallels. In Maine and New Hampshire they
are still plenty, while in Canada, New Bruins
WICK, Nova Scotia and Labrador, they may be
said to abound. In the counties of Essex,
Lewis and Hamilton, N. Y, few remain, but
are fast disappearing 1t is but a short time
since one was killed near Westport in Essex Co.
The southern limits of this species along the
Atlantic coast is about 43 IL deg but they are
rarely found 50 low down in the central part of
America. They exist north of 40 deg. across the
continent, and are especially numerous in the
northern Rocky Mountains. In this range they
extend to the Arctic sea, having been found at
thenouth ofthe Mackenzie river, inlat 60 deg.
Farther east they do not exceed the parallel of
65deg.
In the work of Audubon on the Quadrupeds
| Of North America, Mr.. Kendall, who was very
familiar with the habits of the moose thus de-
0oiipec tueir pecullafltleS.
| " The moose are abundant to the north of
Quebec, and in the northern parts of the State
OF Maine. In the neighborhood of Moose river,
and the lakes in its vicinity they are very abun-
dant, In the summer they are fond of frequcr-
ting lakes and rivers, not only to escape the at
tacks of insects which then molest them, but
also to avoid injuring their antlers, which, dur
ing their growth, are very soft, and exquisitely
sensitive; and beside such situations afford
them abundance of food.
They there feed on the water plants or brows,
upon the trees fringing the shores. In the VIM
ter they retire to the dry mountain ridges, and
generally yard as it is termed, on the side fac
ing the SOUTH where there are abundance Of
maple and other wood trees upon which to feed
either by browsing on the tender twigs OF peel
ing the bark from the stems of such as are only
three or four inches in diameter. They remain
near the same spot as long as any food can DO
obtained, seldom breaking fresh snow, but keep
ing to the same tracks as long as possible
The antlers begin to sprout in April and al
first appear like two black knobs They conf
plete their growth in July, when the skin whcl.
covers them peels off and leaves them perfectly
white; exposure to sun and air, however, sooa
render them brown. The first year the ante.s
are only about one inch long the second year
four or five inches with perhaps the rudnent,
of point the third year about nine inches,
when each divides into fork, still round in
form the fourth year they become palnlated,
with brow-antler and three Or four points the
fifth season thoy have two crown antlers, and
perhpas five points; the points increasing in size
each year, and one or two points being added
annually until the animal arrives at its greatest
vigor: after which period they decrease in size,
and the points are not 50 fully thrown out.
The rutting season commences in September.
The males then become very furious, chasing
away the younger and weaker ones. They run
believing through the forest, and, when two of
equal strength meet have dreadful conflicts,
and do not saperate until one or both are we're
ly injured. The female brings forth in May
The first time she produces on, fawn, but af-
terwards two 1t is supposed by hunters that
these twins are always one male aud the other
a female.
| The seasons for hunting the moos, are March
and September. In March, when the sun melts
the snow on the surface, and the nights aro
frosty, Il crnst is formed, which greatly impades
the animgl's progress, as it has to lift its feet
porpendicularly out of the snow or cut the skin
from its shanks by coming in contact with the
icy surface. In September, two persons, in
bark canoe, paddle by moonlight along the shore
Of the lake, initiating the call of the male, which
jealous of the approach ola stranger, answers to
the call, and rushes down to the combat The
canoe is padded by the man in the stern with
the most death-like silence, gliding along, under
the shade of the forest, uuti within short shoot
ing distance, as it is difficult taking sure aim
by moonlight. The man in the bow generally
fires, when, if the animal is wounded, he makes
Immediately for the shore, dashing the water
about him into foam. He is tracked by his
blood the next day to where he has lain down,
and where he is generally found unable to pro-
ceed any further. Many are killed in this man
ner in the neighborhood of Moose river every
season."
This animal is said to possess, in an eminent
degree, the qualities of the horst, and OK, COM
bining the deetness of the former with the
strength of the latter. None of the deer are
more easily domesticated, the reindeer not even
excepted. In Canada they have frequently been
trained to draw sleds or carts. A gentleman
near Houlton, Maine, some years since, trained
pair to draw sleigh, which they did with
great steadiness and swittness; subject however,
to the inconvenience that, when they once took
it into their head to cool themselves in a neigh
boring river or lake, no efforts could prevent
them
FLEETNEss OF THE OsTRIcH.-When the os-
trch is feeding his pace is from twenty to twen-
ty-two inches; when walking but not feeding, it