144 NEWFOUNDLAND CARIBOU 



It is conceded, by even the most extreme enthusiasts 

 among the " sphtters," that the variation in horn formation 

 of the reindeer is exceedingly variable and undefinable, 

 and that size is a matter largely of environment, and 

 consequently very unsatisfactory as a proof of species. 

 What, then, about colour ? Surely this is equally 

 unstable. It is not as if the Caribou had a patterned 

 pelage, and that the pattern varied with the different 

 groups, geographical or otherwise. Nor as if their colour 

 was constant throughout the year ; we know that, generally 

 speaking, it is not, but that it turns lighter during the 

 winter. Now, in order to describe the colour, so that 

 it would be of any value, the animals should be compared 

 when their summer coats are perfect, and perhaps also in 

 the middle of winter. But, even then, would anything be 

 proved ? Possibly, but by no means certainly, for the indi- 

 vidual colouring is so extremely variable. A glance at the 

 photographs illustrating this volume will convince any one 

 of the extraordinary individual difference that may be found 

 among the animals, not only of one country, but of one 

 herd. In a painting I once exhibited of Caribou in their 

 autumn dress, I was severely criticised by a man who had 

 been several times to Newfoundland for showing one of the 

 does almost white. He had never seen one like it, and so 

 did not believe it was correct. Yet it is a common thing to 

 see at least one in a herd that is practically entirely white, 

 although not an albino. This is true equally of stags and 

 does, and may be seen from some of the photographs. 

 Whether it correlates with age or some other condition, I 

 cannot say, but evidence is rather in favour of the theory of 

 age, as it is usually the stags which have spindly horns, or, at 

 least, horns that are on the verge of "going back," that are 

 most conspicuously white before winter has actually begun. 



