LIFE AND HABITS 27 



believe. Throughout this season of love and battle the 

 fawns nearly always stay with their mothers and continue 

 with them for some months afterward. 



With the first severe snowfall that occurs after the middle 

 of October the great southerly migration begins. This 

 snow may not come before the middle or end of November, 

 but it is usually expected about October 22nd. In 

 former days, I am told by the older guides and others, they 

 always had heavy snow by October 15th, but during the last 

 eight seasons which I have spent on the island there has 

 been nothing like regularity, so that migration has begun 

 anywhere from early October (191 2) to the first week in 

 December (1908). These two dates are of course extremes 

 and similar conditions might not occur again for many 

 years. In a general way the first of the migrating animals 

 should be seen crossing the railroad between Grand Lake 

 and Howley or Gaff-topsail between October 23 rd and 

 November ist and from then on for several weeks 

 according to the season. During this time they come in 

 herds of from two or three to over a hundred, single 

 individuals seldom appearing except when the herd has 

 been disturbed by hunters. In nearly every case the herds 

 are led by a doe, frequently one that has no fawn, or what 

 is called in Newfoundland a " dry " or " barren " doe. She 

 seems more alert than the stags and therefore better able to 

 guide the herd past the many dangers which threaten it 

 during its long southerly march. The stags, now forlorn- 

 looking creatures of dejected mien, keep to the middle of 

 the column. Occasionally one brings up at the rear or 

 follows some distance behind, but only on rare occasions 

 does he assume the lead. It is noticeable that he is not 

 much of a success at that rtf^, for he will often walk blindly 

 into the most apparent danger. This peculiarity is shown 



