360 Game of Europe, W. & N. Asia & America 



THE WESTERN DESERT MULE-DEER 



[Mazaiiia hcmionus crci/ncd) 



This is a pale-coloured form of mule-deer inhabiting the arid south- 

 western tract on the Mexican border of the United States ; the type 

 specimen having been taken in the Sierra Seri, Sonora. It is sometimes 

 known as the Burro deer. 



THE BLACK-TAILED DEER 



[Miizama \Dorcclaphiis\ co/iniihiaihi) 



The black-tailed deer, as typified by the British Columbian form, is 

 a near relative of the mule -deer, characterised by its inferior size, the 

 shorter metatarsal gland and tuft of the hind-leg, and also by the tail being 

 wholly black above and wholly white beneath^ (Fig- 73)- The ears are 

 likewise somewhat smaller than those of the mule-deer ; but the antlers of 

 the two species are of essentially the same type. The length ot the meta- 

 tarsal gland and tutt on the outer side of the lower portion ot the upper 

 halt ot the hind cannon-bone is about two inches in the present species. 



The true blacktail, as typified by specimens from the mouth of the 

 Columbia River, is a north-western form inhabiting British Columbia, 

 Vancouver Island, and a tract west of the Cascade Range in the States 

 of Washington, Oregon, and California. 



In winter the general colour of the coat is brownish grey mottled 

 or speckled with black, with a darker streak extending from the hinder 

 part of the head to the tail. The crown of the liead is mingled chestnut 



' Owing to the lack ot" specimens in English collections, the description of the colour ot the tail in 

 Deer of All Lands is incorrect. 



