24 NEWFOUNDLAND CARIBOU 



theory that the Caribou colour their horns with a fluid 

 exuded from between the hoofs of the hind foot is also, I 

 believe, wrong, and has probably arisen from observing the 

 habit above mentioned of scratching the velvet from the 

 horns with their feet. The does do not lose the velvet until 

 much later than the stags ; indeed it is not an uncommon 

 thing to see untidy strips of dry velvet still adhering as 

 late as October loth or 15th. 



This Second Period is the most important in the animals' 

 lives, for it covers the mating season and the southerly 

 migration. Both of these subjects are dealt with in greater 

 detail in the two following chapters, but as this part is a 

 summary of the whole life of the Caribou, we will glance 

 over the chief events with apologies if, later on, the reader 

 finds certain repetitions. I do this to make the history of 

 the animals' life consecutive. 



Instead of a listless creature wandering about in a rather 

 aimless way, we now find the stag conspicuous in his 

 newly-burnished antlers, his crowning beauty, a thoroughly 

 restless animal whose passions usually reach their height 

 by October ist, or a little later. No longer does he seek 

 seclusion in the dark forests, no longer does he shun the 

 daylight. He seems possessed of the spirit of adventure 

 and at times will even welcome the excitement of conflict. 

 The smooth, mouse-coloured summer coat has been super- 

 seded by a heavy, rich mantle which, besides adding to 

 his beauty and acting as a shield to save his body from the 

 sharp horns of a possible antagonist, will protect him from 

 the penetrating blasts of the winter winds. His neck is 

 creamy white, with a long mane hanging from the throat ; 

 the flank and belly also are white, his back and sides are 

 more or less warm grey, varying greatly both in colour and 

 tone. So thick is the coat that the long hair forms regular 



