The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-07

lively that such is the fact; the best Judges
assert that they never shed them while
not Few believe that when a cow that has
previously produced no offspring begins to
breed, her horns are dropped. Arthur
Evans, ZiOnville trapper caught last
June in bear trap a COW caribou that
had a perfect set of horns and was ac-
companied by her fawn.
Another strange feature of caribou life
noted by many observers and never ade-
quately explained is that when the animals
are especially numerous In certain dis
trict the fecundity of the females is sure
TO show a marked decline Perhaps not
one COW in every three will be found at
tended with calves in the spring. No
doubt the food supply in a given area is
an important bearing on this question as
well as on the problem of migration.
Full grown caribou not only differ wide
ly in weight. varying from 200 to 400
pounds. but also in general appearance.
The prevailing color of the animal when
he has donned his autumn coat is a dark
fawn inclining to gray and fading to al
most pure white on the neck and under
parts of the body. When the snow falls
an educated eye is required to distinguish
his form on the sombre gray of the bar
rens. Occasionally what are known as red
bulls are seen, animals of a dull yellow
gushed by spindling horns. Some caribou,
especially young cows, are almost as
graceful as a deer, while others resemble
an overgrown goat. They possess a variety
of facial expression bordering on The gro
tesque. some exhibiting a muzzle arched
like that of a Percheron horse others a
square. massive nose like that of the do
nestle COW, and others resembling the
comely countenance of the Virginia deer.
THE Mlicete word for caribou is me
gah-lip," which means SNOW shoveler.'
In the depth of the Canadian winter
herd of caribou may often be seen pa
tiently scraping away with nose and hoof
the snow on the barren in order TO reach
their favorite moss. When the snow lies
deep on the barrens they take to the deep
woods and rely upon the pendent moss of
the juniper. spruce, fir and other trees.
The fallen tops, TO be found in lumber
works provide a rare feast for the carl
bou When, from the scarcity of food.
it is necessary for them to shift their
quarters, they adopt the plan peculiar to-
all members of the cervidae in northern
climes-forming in single file and pushing
forward through the drifts, the leader
of the flying wedge being relieved as he
wearies with breaking the road
1t is impossible to predict what carl
bou will do upon becoming aware of the
presence OF man. Sometimes the report
of rifle or of man. even the sight of
the hunter will cause them no apparent
alarm; at other times they will stampede
at the swapping of a twig. They seem
to be dull of sight as well as of hearing
as compared with the red deer but to
possess a remarkable power of scent.
Their speed Is much superior to that of
the moose or deer.
A Tobique hunter, Alex Ogilvie, was
still-hunting a drove Of caribou in Deem
Der. A drzzling rain was falling and
when he ATTEMPTED to fire from behind
fallen tree the caps of his venerable
piece failed to connect. He then recapped
the gun but though the caps exploded,
they failed to ignite the powder. At the
sound of the caps swapping the patriarch
of the herd walked leisurely up to the
log and peered over at the distracted
hunter Then he went off a few yards
where he jumped up and down as if be-
reft of his senses. A second time he came
and looked over the log and actually struck
at Ogilvie with his hoof BY this time
the entire drove had lined up within
rod of the log Ogilvie succeeded in re
printing his gun and shot the patriarch
at so close a range that the powder burn
ed his hair whereupon the herd made
off like whirlwind, Gathering their hoofs
and scattering the snow in clouds behind
them.
Near Nictaux Lake, in October last, a
guide named Dave Crimmins had queer
experience with caribou. He was walk
ing along the tote road carrying on his
back a sheet-iron stove, which kicked up
considerable of a racket Suddenly he
heard a noise, and turning about saw
that he was followed by big bull caribou.
Crimmons had no rifle, and at first gave
little heed to the animal. When he halted
The caribou stood still, but as soon as he
resumed his march the caribou followed,
shaking his head and showing very hos
tile front The maneuver was several
times repeated, the animal paving up the
turf and shaking HIS head whenever
Crimmons faced him. The guide tried to
scare the caribou by banging the stove
against the tree, but this only served to
increase the animals fury. Then Crmmins
became really alarmed, dropped the stove
TO the ground and jumped behind tree.
The caribou smelled the stove all over
Ieisurely and walked off into the bushes.
When Crimmlns picked up the stove the
animal reappeared and lowered his head
TO charge. The guide then threw the stove
at the caribou and the animal turned and
disappeared.
The Indian guide Jim Paul was once
hunting on the Gaspereaux plains, when
toward him through a cfump of stunted
spruce. The animal frequently collided
with the trees and seemed 10 take no no
tice of the Indian. "Sartin," said Jim, Il
tink dat caribou was drunk. Bambye
when he get pretty close 1 shoot him.
Sartin he was mighty old caribou, for he
was blind and had no teeth and no horns"
In the mating season it is not uncommon
for caribou males to be blinded by thrusts
received in their furious duels for the mas
terry of the herd.
Caribou have a decided fear of snow
shoe track and will sometimes refuse TO
cross it. One afternoon in December,
some wears ago, Henry Braithwaite cross
ed the head of Little Sou-West Lake to
one of his trapping camps. Going back TO
the lakeside for water he saw large herd
of caribou walking up the snow-covered
| ice few yards before they reached his
track the drove halted while one of the
| bucks went up to inspect it. Returning
| to the herd, he faced the rank of lowered
heads as though discussing with them
the situation, then struck out in certain
| 5iroction btIt the herd failed to follow.