296 THE DEER OF AMERICA. 



have been two heifers or colts of the same age. I never harnessed 

 them afterwards. They are undoubtedly as strong as a horse of 

 the same size, and are much more natural trotters than the horse, 

 and with training, I think, would fully equal him in speed and 

 endurance, and would, when fully adult, jDrobably surpass him in 

 both. The Elk has not the weight for heav}^ draught, but seems 

 well adapted for light, quick work. I confess I have too long neg- 

 lected this practical question. 



THE MFLE DEER. 



The disposition of the Mule Deer presents a study of more in- 

 terest than that of any of the others. In some respects they 

 are worse and in others better than either of the other species. 

 The adult bucks when brought up by hand are wicked during 

 the ratting season, and seem to take a positive delight in threat- 

 ening if not in attacking their best friend, so that it is never safe 

 to venture very near to them without a good club during the 

 rut. The old does, too, are treacherous at all seasons, and are 

 liable to attack children whenever they find them unprotected ; 

 at the same time they are the greatest cowards alive. I had an 

 old doe, almost as large as a small elk, that would even attack 

 women if she met them alone in the park, while she would be 

 very complacent to a man whom she thought able to defend him- 

 self ; still she was so great a coward that the smallest Virginia 

 deer would drive her wherever it pleased. I have been vastly 

 amused in observing the little Acapulco doe chasing an adult 

 Mule doe around the grounds. The little thing does not appear 

 to be actuated by malice, but does it rather for amusement. The 

 Mule Deer would be following me through the park, and when- 

 ever it would happen to get a little way from me the little one 

 would dash in between us and run it off, while the Mule Deer 

 would make a circuit and as soon as possible run to me for jjro- 

 tection, when the little tease would stop a little way off and 

 look as if it would enjoy a hearty laugh. This was repeated 

 many times during a single walk. The larger one is fully three 

 times the size of her tormentor, but I have never seen it offer 

 the least resistance to these attacks. I have often seen her chase 

 a Mule buck, which was two years old, in the same way. 



The Mule Deer is the only one I have ever seen manifest a 

 clear and decided disposition to play. This they do something 

 after the manner of lambs, by running courses and gamboling 

 about and running up and down the bluffs manifestly for amuse- 



