106 Life-histories of Northern Animals 



following and came on, part of the time trotting and part of 

 the time walking, but all the time travelling as if he were track- 

 ing something. When within eighty yards of me he came on 

 my track and stopped, turning half around, giving me a fine shot. 

 He was only a 3-point buck, and rather small for a 3-pointer, 

 but he seemed to be on the warpath, judging by the way 

 he chased the turkeys, and he seemed to care very little for 

 me. Now, I have frequently heard Deer whistle when 

 frightened, and have heard them snort from some cause, but 

 this Deer made altogether a louder and different noise from 

 either." 



George Crawford and Linklater, guides of Mattawa, 

 Ont., assure me that at this season the bucks utter a peculiar 

 call, like a sheep bleating or like the creaking of two trees 

 rubbing together. 



As November, the true rutting time, draws near, the necks 

 of the bucks become enormously enlarged. As early as the 

 last week in October, Merriam measured^- the neck of a buck 

 that was 30 inches in circumference, only 10 inches behind the 

 ear. Ordinarily it would have been about 20 around. The 

 maximum development is attained about the middle of Novem- 

 ber, which is also the height of the rut. 



A buck whose neck was 7^'] inches around, is recorded by 

 A. N. Cheney.^' 

 NovEM- Their whole nature seems to undergo a corresponding 



BER r <3 



MAD- change at this time, and by November they are blind and mad 

 with desire, as well as ready and eager to fight any of their own 

 or other kind that seems likely to hinder their search for a 

 mate. 



"At this season [says Merriam**] the bucks not only fight 

 among themselves, but occasionally attack man, and more 

 than one unfortunate person has been gored to death by them. 

 In battle they make use of their horns, and also of their fore- 



'^Merriam's Mam. Adir., 1884, p. 116. 



"•^ First Annual Report N. Y. State F. G. & F. Com., 1896, p. 201. 



"Mam. Adir., 1884, p. 117. 



