. Life-histories of northern animals [microform] : an account of the mammals of Manitoba. Mammals; Mammals; Mammifères; Mammifères. I) SIGN 164 Life-histories of Northern Animals Since, then, the "bell" is a variable feature more or less present in the young of both sexes, and tending to disappear with age; it may be a character that is being lost, because no longer answering any useful purpose. It is interesting to note that several animals have produced "Moose bells" on their throats as freaks. I have seen such growths in common cattle, Belgian hares. Merino rams, and onc
. Life-histories of northern animals [microform] : an account of the mammals of Manitoba. Mammals; Mammals; Mammifères; Mammifères. I) SIGN 164 Life-histories of Northern Animals Since, then, the "bell" is a variable feature more or less present in the young of both sexes, and tending to disappear with age; it may be a character that is being lost, because no longer answering any useful purpose. It is interesting to note that several animals have produced "Moose bells" on their throats as freaks. I have seen such growths in common cattle, Belgian hares. Merino rams, and once in a Cottontail (Fig. 78). They are usually associated with other excessive developments of the skin and its products. How are we to know that there are Moose in a swamp smce they never give us a chance to see them ? The sure, certain, lasting sign is the "fumet," or dung- balls. These resemble in character those of other large Deer, but their size is distinctive. Another important sign is the track. "Like the track of a cow, but sharper," is the earliest description I ever heard of it. This sign is soon changed by weather and tells the ob- server what time has elapsed since the Moose was here. While feeding in winter the Moose will chisel the bark off saplings with its front teeth, as indeed do most Deer, but the size of the mark and the height from the ground will usually tell if such a mark was made by a Moose. It is often remarked that only one side of the bark is thus taken, and therefore the tree survives. The nipping of twigs also at a great height is an im- portant Moose sign. Other telltale marks are the scrapings of the trees with the antlers and the deliberate crossing of bogs. In this last respect the Moose is second only to the Caribou. An important sign in fall IS the wallow, fully described Fig. 78—Cottontail Rabbit with bell like that uf a Moose. From specimen taken near Toronta. now in coU lection of lame^ H. rieming. Betl. 2Ji
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, bookpublishe, booksubjectmammals
