. The Canadian field-naturalist. October, V33Z] The Canadian P'ield-Naturalist 129. study of Head of Young Wapiti Calf. understood, until one morning when approach- ing a beaver pond under observation I came upon four adult males and two yearlings of undetermined sex amusing themselves near the top of a shaly incline. The yearlings seem- ed to enjoy biting each other about the hind legs, meanwhile slipping down almost to the bottom. After a few minutes, they laboriously climbed back again and began teasing the adults by butting their flanks and making friendly passes at them with their fore fe
. The Canadian field-naturalist. October, V33Z] The Canadian P'ield-Naturalist 129. study of Head of Young Wapiti Calf. understood, until one morning when approach- ing a beaver pond under observation I came upon four adult males and two yearlings of undetermined sex amusing themselves near the top of a shaly incline. The yearlings seem- ed to enjoy biting each other about the hind legs, meanwhile slipping down almost to the bottom. After a few minutes, they laboriously climbed back again and began teasing the adults by butting their flanks and making friendly passes at them with their fore feet. Impelled by the yearlings' frolic, the adults began to play rather languidly, sliding down the incline together. This went on until I showed myself some five minutes later, when they sought the top of the slide and disap- peared. Since this occurrence I have noted many similar performances on shale and dirt slides and about grassy slopes. One other observation was recorded when in company with Mr. James Smart, Superintendent of the Riding Mountain National Park. Walking along an elevated ridge above a stretch of meadow land, we noticed nine adult and sub-adult Wapiti play- ing on a grassy slope about 500 yards away. All were close together, milling around, buck- ing, and rising on their hind feet. Suddenly, one pair and then another engaged in a con- test of strength, pushing with head against Photo by H. U. Green. head as cattle often do. Then, without any warning, one feigned alarm and trotted with head held high to the cover of an aspen blflff close by, followed by the rest of the band. In a moment they all returned to the slope and carried on with the play until frightened by our appearance. Small calves, too, find diversion in frolic, although not so intensely as their elders. I have often watched two or three little fellows scampering about together while their mothers stood watching them with apparent satis- faction. CALLS; ODOUR: SCENT AND HEARING; EYESIGHT The call
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