VIRGINIA DEER, 



OF the Deer there are five varieties existing in North 

 America. They are as follows: first, the common or Vir- 



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ginia Deer, which abounds in the wooded districts from 

 Canada to Mexico ; second, the Black-tailed or Mule Deer, 

 inhabiting the vicinity of the Rocky Mountains ; third, the 

 American Elk or Wapiti, inhabiting the western States and 

 territories, and Canada ; fourth, the Moose, found in Canada, 

 and the northern borders of the United States ; and lastly, 

 two' varieties of the Reindeer: namely, the Barren-ground 

 Cariboo, and the Woodland Cariboo, both of them inhab- 

 iting the northern regions. There are supposed to be one 

 or more other species, but they are probably only varieties 

 of the Mule Deer, or of the Virginia Deer. 



The Virginia Deer resembles the Fallow Deer of Europe ; 

 it is a light, agile, and graceful animal, loving to dwell in 

 forests, and flying from the vicinity of the habitations of 

 man. It is said to have a great aversion to the rattle-snake. 

 which it destroys by leaping upon it with both its fore feet, 

 thus crushing it at a blow. It was once abundant along 

 the whole Atlantic coast, but the incessant war waged upon 

 it has rendered it scarce in those parts ; a few still linger 

 upon Long Island, Martha's Vineyard, and the forests near 

 Plymouth, Mass. The flesh of this Deer is common in most 

 of our large markets, during the winter. Of the Black- 



