The Black-Tail Deer. 14* 



Black-tail, like other members of the deer family, do 

 not pay much attention to an object which is not moving. 

 A hunter who is standing motionless or squatting down 

 is not likely to receive attention, while a big-horn or 

 prong-horn would probably see him and take the alarm at 

 once ; and if the black-tail is frightened and running he 

 will run almost over a man standing in plain sight, without 

 paying any heed to him, if the latter does not move. But 

 the very slightest movement at once attracts a deer's 

 attention, and deer are not subject to the panics that at 

 times overtake other kinds of game. The black-tail has 

 much curiosity, which often proves fatal to it ; but which 

 with it is after all by no means the ungovernable passion 

 that it is with antelope. The white-tail and the big-horn 

 are neither over-afflicted with morbid curiosity, nor subject 

 to panics or fits of stupidity ; and both these animals, as 

 well as the black-tail, seem to care very little for the death 

 of the leader of the band, going their own ways with small 

 regard for the fate of the chief, while elk will huddle 

 together in a confused group, and remain almost motion- 

 less when their leader is struck down. Antelope and 

 more especially elk are subject to perfect panics of unrea- 

 soning terror, during which they will often put themselves 

 completely in the power of the hunter ; while buffalo will 

 frequently show a downright stupidity almost unequalled. 



The black-tail suffers from no such peculiarities. His 

 eyes are good ; his nose and ears excellent. He is ever 

 alert and wary; his only failing is his occasional over- 

 curiosity ; and his pursuit taxes to the utmost the skill and 

 resources of the still-hunter. 



