European Roe 253 



the figures, which exhibit the shortness of the beam below the first fork, 

 the somewhat U-hke form of the two forks, and the great length and 

 decided curvature of the tines. 



The geographical distribution of the European roe is extensive, and 

 comprises the greater portion of Europe, where physical conditions are 

 suitable to its habits, ivom Great Britain to the Caucasus, and probably 

 also includes a portion of Asia Minor. In Ireland roe are naturally 

 unknown ; in addition to Great Britain, they are found in the south of 

 Sweden, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Spain, Tuscany, Greece, 

 Turkey, and the northern districts of Palestine. For their present 

 distribution in Great Britain the reader may consult British Deer and 

 their Horns. 



In that work Mr. Millais likewise gives an excellent and interesting 

 account of the life-history and habits of this little deer. Especial attention 

 may be directed to the beautiful plate of a buck and doe swimming a lake, 

 as illustrative of a very characteristic trait in the habits of this species ; 

 while not less instructive are the sketches of a buck skulking to escape its 

 toes, and ot a doe endeavouring to make her fawn lie down for the same 

 reason. 



European roe are never found in large herds, but commonly associate 

 in small family parties, numbering from a pair to half a dozen, although 

 occasionally many more may be seen in company. These family parties 

 keep together till the early part or middle of May, when the bucks leave 

 the does and tawns to pass six weeks or two months by themselves. 

 During July the bucks have again rejoined the does, sometimes taking up 

 with their old partners and sometimes forming a new alliance. Contests 

 at this season may occasionally, although not very commonly, take place 

 among rival bucks. In being strictly monogamous the roebuck differs 

 very markedly from both the fallow deer and the red deer and its allies. 

 Bucks shed their antlers about the end of the year, and have generally 



