. The Canadian field-naturalist. 130 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XLVII of breath. (I have not expressed the sound of the rattle in the phonetic interpretation.) When heard from a distance the first low note and the grunting rattle are not audible: eeeeee- ea yeough. The "bugling" of male Wapiti is evidently a secondary sexual characteristic, for it was never heard except during rutting season and about a week prior to its inception. Before the commencement of the rutting season, how- ever, the call lacks full-throated intensity and volume. At first it was believed that male W
. The Canadian field-naturalist. 130 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XLVII of breath. (I have not expressed the sound of the rattle in the phonetic interpretation.) When heard from a distance the first low note and the grunting rattle are not audible: eeeeee- ea yeough. The "bugling" of male Wapiti is evidently a secondary sexual characteristic, for it was never heard except during rutting season and about a week prior to its inception. Before the commencement of the rutting season, how- ever, the call lacks full-throated intensity and volume. At first it was believed that male Wapiti "bugled" in the spring and early summer, but intensive study showed that the females were responsible. The "bugling" call of the female is similar in every way to that of the male but without masculine volume. In fact, by comparison, it is noticeably feminine once its origin is definitely determined. As in males, "bugling" among females is seasonal and evident only during calving time. Consequently it may also be considered as a secondary sexual characteristic, although remote from actual sexual activity. •No evidence was gathered which in any way would suggest that "bugling" in either sex is used as a means of communication. Neither is there any evidence to show that it is applied by rutting males as a vocal medium for challenging rivals to combat. With both males and females, I have come to believe, it is merely an outlet for self-ex- pression much as domestic animals voice their emotions without apparent purpose. One other distinctive call common to both sexes is heard at all seasons of the year. It may be classified as a call of curiosity or ap- prehension, depending upon the circumstances responsible for its utterance. Expressed phonetically this call resembles a hoarse throaty bark: eeeeeeee-eough, deeper in males than females, the difference being readily dis- tinguished by an experienced ear. Travelling about the Wapiti co
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