FAUNA AMERICANA. 241 



the hairs disposed in yellowish or blackish rings ; 

 above and beneath the eyes, within the ears, be- 

 neath the lower jaw, throat, belly, interior of the 

 limbs, beneath the tail, and the corresponding 

 portion of the buttocks, white. 



Habit. They take their winter coat in Octo- 

 ber ; their summer dress in March or April ; their 

 horns appear in September, and fall in February; 

 they enter in rut in November or December; 

 gestation lasts nine months ; they bring forth in 

 July or August. 



Inhabit North America, enjoying the most ex- 

 tensive range. 



According to Mr. Say, (Long's Exped. to the 

 Rocky Mountains, vol. i. p. 104.) " the highest 

 northern range of this species, is Canada, in 

 North America ; it is also found as far south as 

 the river Oronoco, in South America. 



" This species is leanest in February and March, 

 and in best condition in October and November. 

 The rutting season commences in November, and 

 continues about one month, terminating generally 

 about the middle of December. During this sea- 

 son the neck of the male becomes very much di- 

 lated. 



" The fawn towards autumn looses his spots, and 

 the hair becomes grayish, and lengthens in the 

 winter. In this state the deer is said by the hun- 

 ters to be i7i the gray. 



'• This coat is shed in the latter part of May and 



31 



