128 Life-histories of Northern Animals 



is studied, and every creature that might injure her little ones 

 is either fought or misled to the utmost of her powers. 



At Carberry, Manitoba, on July 30, 1884, I saw a well- 

 grown fawn that was found by Adam Shaw in the sandhills 

 near Pine Creek. It had been hiding in the bushes, and was 

 caught by the dogs. Its bleating brought the mother. She 

 circled about, but did not dare to attack the numerous foe. 

 This fawn was raised on cow's milk and — protected by a con- 

 spicuous collar — continued for years about Carberry. 



In the latter part of July, 1896, W. R. McFadden, of 

 Denver, while riding in the half-open country on the head of 

 Calf Creek, in north-western Colorado, 60 miles beyond Hank's 

 Peak, discovered a doe Blacktail, with her two fawns, in the 

 long grass. He crawled up to within twenty-five feet before 

 they saw him. The mother's back, that is, the back of her head, 

 was toward him, so he rose up slowly; but she caught a glimpse 

 of the enemy, gave a low snort, threw up her head, and sprang 

 to one side in three or four bounds, then commenced to "blow" 

 or **whistle." 



The fawns slunk into the grass immediately, skulking as 

 low as possible, and after going ten feet or so in different direc- 

 tions crouched and lay like sage hens, with heads down flat. 

 They were about ten feet apart, and although so near to Mc- 

 Fadden he had great difficulty in finding them; for, owing to 

 the long grass, their stillness, and their colour they were won- 

 derfully well concealed. 



The mother ran off a long way, but circled near, whistling 

 and trying to lead the intruder away. 



On yet another occasion this fortunate observer was 

 favoured with a peep into the nursery life and ways of the 

 Blacktail. Early one August, while travelling on the head- 

 waters of Trout Creek (between Routt and Rio Blanco Coun- 

 ties, Colorado), he saw a fawn with the mother and marked 

 down the little one; although he knew within twenty feet of 

 where it was, he could not find it in the grass. After looking 

 for some time McFadden hid behind a tree. In fifteen or 

 twenty minutes he saw a slight movement in the grass, then 



