ELK

MOOSE, or MOOSE DEER (Alces Machlis), the largest of the deer family, a native of Northern Europe, Asia, and America. The 132 ELK American form (to which the name moose is usually given) is sometimes separated from the European as Alces american us, but most naturalists find no specific difference between them. The elk or moose has a short compact body, standing about 6 feet in height at the shoulders, a thick neck, large clumsy head, and horns which flatten out almost from the base into a broad palmate form with numerous snags. In colour the elk is greyish brown, the limbs, sides of head, and coarse mane being, however, of a lighter hue. Its flesh resembles beef rather than venison. For the most part elks are inoffensive, and so exceedingly wary that they are approached only with difficulty. In America the Indians and half-breeds are the most skilful moose-hunters. By trampling downa restricted area of ground (mooseyard) and browsing on the edge of this, the moose is able to protect itself efficiently against the attacks of wolves. The moose has a wide-range in Canada, extending from the Arctic Ocean and British Columbia to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia; and it is found also in Maine. It feeds largely on the shoots of trees or shrubs, such as the willow and maple, and on bark, . In Sweden its destruction is illegal, and in Norway there are many restrictions upon the hunting of it.