The White-Tailed Deer 8 



there are various other whitetails, or closely allied 

 species, inhabiting Mexico, Central America and north- 

 em South America. Thus, the whitetails, as a group, 

 have a more extensive distribution than any other 

 American deer. 



Perhaps because it is so common and so well 

 known, the Whitetail does not always get full credit 

 for its grace and beauty which are scarcely excelled by 

 any other member of the deer family either in America 

 or in the Old World. No prettier woodland picture 

 ever greets the nature lover's eye than that of our own 

 deer as it threads its way along its forest trail or steps 

 alertly at nightfall from the green depths to the open 

 border of lake or stream. When in motion, especially 

 when not alarmed, it has an ease and grace beyond that 

 of any other of our game animals. Its normal gait is 

 that of running or trotting and, although it can and 

 does make great leaps, it does not "bound" with all four 

 feet striking the ground at once as do the western 

 Blacktails or Mule Deer. If slightly startled, it moves 

 away in low, springy jumps alternated at short inter- 

 vals with single high leaps, the entire movement being 

 characterized by an indescribable grace and resiliency. 

 Meanwhile the head and long, flashing, white tail are 

 held erect and the whole effect as the animal appears 

 and reappears among the trees and bushes makes a 

 beautiful sight. 



The outward appearance of the Whitetail shows 

 marked differences with the change of the seasons. In 

 summer its hair is relatively short and thin and the 

 color of its coat is rich reddish rufous. On this ac- 

 count, it has sometimes erroneously been called Red 

 Deer, a name which properly belongs to a very differ- 

 ent European species. This red coat is worn during the 

 warm months from May until September in the period 

 when the horns are attaining their annual growth. 



18] 



