Deer Hunting in Cuba 



time they have the appearance of being much 

 larger than they really are. Not so keen sighted 

 as the antelope, they yet possess remarkable powers 

 of vision, and are especially quick to notice any 

 moving object, which makes stalking almost an 

 impossibility. 



So far as my observations extended, there is no 

 well marked season of rut or of the birth of the 

 young. Though most numerous in the early spring, 

 it would seem that, as there is no severe cold 

 weather, nature has not provided the usual pro- 

 tection for the young, and as in the tropics there 

 is practically no season with reference to tempera- 

 ture and vegetation, there is none well defined for 

 breeding. 



In hunting them I discovered no new distinctive 

 phases of deer character. They feed at night, and 

 in the early evening wade into the small lakes 

 (lagunas) in search of succulent lilies and delicate 

 aquatic plants. Their favorite food is the creep- 

 ing plants known as lechosa and bejucos, of which 

 they are very fond and eat greedily. Shortly after 

 daybreak they retire to the thickets or jungles, and 

 secure from intrusion by man, take their siesta in 

 almost impenetrable haunts. From these situations 

 it is difficult to drive them, even with well trained 

 hounds. 



397. 



