Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-16
A cAkiBou's FOOD.
BY ELLEN vELyIN. F. z. S.

Winter is always a time Of trial for the
caribou. In its native place which covers
a large area. being found in Labrador and
northern Canada, south OF Nova Scotia.
New Brunswick and Newfoundland: the
north OF the state of Maine and lower
Canada, ana the north of Quebec to Lake
Superior, 1t invariably has hard time
owing to the northern latitude. 1t Is. In
fact, the most northerly of all heofed AMI
mails. and Is well adapted for its life and
the arctic climate in which Il lives.
A caribou is a peculiar-looking creature
In many ways With a welcomed body.
thick, strong legs terminating in curious
large heefs. which are fattened and ex-
panded in such manner that where, for
instance. the moose would sink and houn-
der helplessly, the caribou can walk cas-
lily over snow and Ice leaving all pur-
suers far behind, and with thick, closely
grown coat of fine woolly hair. through
of rain, he Ia fitted to go through any
thing.
And he can 60 through anything. pro-
vided he can find enough moss or lichen
rarely starves. In spite of the snow which
often covers the moss. He has q way
OF nosing up the snow and getting at his
food, although In many cases this Is diff
&.
In any case the caribou has hard time
Of 1t in the winter. and when he IL taken
captive and provided with food which costs
seyenty-f1ve cents hundred pounds-carf-
beu moss from Maine-he is very fortunate.
il he were only able to realize 1t.
But this winter. owing to the deep snow
in Maine and other reasons, no moss was
forthcoming. In vain exorbitant prices
were offered IL only small quantity
could be procured and sent to the park,
None could be obtained. and meanwhile
the poor caribou was desperately hungry.
Clover hay and all sorts of dainties were
hungry and famished as he was. he would
have none of them, and when the animal
began to show his bones through his skin
and grow weak and i'll. considerable anx-
iety was felt as to keeping him alive at
all.
Finally, after a consultation among those
in authority, 1t was determined as 1t ap-
peared probable he would die in any case,
to turn him out in the park and see
whether by any chance he could find any
thing to his liking. Very little hope was
entertained that he would. but there was
just chance. When first let out he APP
peared weak and unsteady and uncertain
what to do, but after q while, with feeble
steps, he betook himself across that part
Of the park which had been inclosed for
him and wandered in and out among the
trees. -.'
Having once started his migration, he
continued 1t in much the same manner as
he would have done in his own land, ex-
cept that he was alone. In patient per-
severance he wandered on, followed In the
rear by. one Of the authorities of the
park, and after much weary tramping.
for he was woefuIly weak he bent his
head, shifted at a communicating weed
which grew about a foot from the ground,
and instantly. with ravenous appetite,
ate every tiny piece Of it.
1t turned out that there were many
punches of this weed throughout the park,
so that when ne had eaten up one part
another was marked off for him, and In
about couple of weeks time the caribou
was himself again and seemingly perfectly
tontented and happy.
And then the snow came and hid from
sight his only means OF subsistence, and
the poor animal began to get thin and
miserable again. Although able to find his
Maine moss in the snow. for some reason
or other he does not seem to be able to
find his weed and Is now wandering about
seeking in vain- for some food. The last
1 heard Of him he had just dropped his
antlers and had been put into q corral, and.
to the great delight OF his attendants. had
actually eaten some bread which had been
carefully cut UP into small cubes and pre-
scented to him In q pail. But whether
bread alone will keep him alive Is prob
lem which can only be solved by time or
the weather. 1t would be a sad pity to
lose him, for he Is a fine animal, standing
forty-eiKht inches at the shoulders, and
when in good condition Weighing about go
pounds.