9 8o THE UNGULATES, OR HOOFED MAMMALS 



young. In bucks of the first year the antlers form unbranched spikes, while in the 

 second year they are simply forked, without any branching of the two prongs, 

 although the subbasal snag makes its appearance at the same time. 



The most legitimate mode of hunting the Virginian deer is by stalk- 

 Hunting ing) but in the south they are frequently pursued by hounds, followed 

 by mounted hunters armed with rifles. In other cases hounds are employed to drive 

 the deer to water or down the paths in the woods, where the sportsmen lie in wait. 

 In summer, when deer are abundant, many are killed by what is termed "jacking"; 



VIRGINIAN DEER SWIMMING. 



that is to say, a lantern or some other light is carried, upon seeing which the deer 

 becomes dazzled, and, while standing to gaze, offers a ready shot. Finally, 

 "breasting" is employed, according to Mr. G. B. Grinnell, "where the deer make 

 their home among very high grass, such as is to be found on some of the prairies of 

 the southwest or in the great beds of the dry lakes of Northern and Western 

 Nebraska. Here the thick cane grass stands seven or eight feet high, and the head 

 of a mounted man is only just visible above the tops. Several huntsmen armed 

 with shotguns form a line on the leeward side of the space to be hunted over, and 



