346 THE ROfi. 



animal's fourth year, the head is complete. The* 

 Stag sheds his horns in the spring, and renews 

 them in summer; but the Roebuck does not cast 

 his till the autumn, and they are replaced irr 

 winter. 



The Roebuck does not bellow so frequently, nor 

 with so loud and strong a voice, as the Stag. The 

 young ones utter a short or plaintive cry, mi, mi, 

 whenever they are in want of food. This sound is 

 easily imitated by the sportsman ; and the mother, 

 deceived by the call, will often come up almost to 

 the muzzle of his gun*. 



The venison of the Roe, in some countries, and 

 at a proper season, is considered to be an excellent 

 and delicate food. For different purposes in manu- 

 factures, the hair of the Roe is considered more 

 valuable than that either of the Stag or the Ox, 

 from the circumstance of its not becoming knotty, 

 like the hair of those animals. The horns are used 

 in making handles for knives, and for various other 

 purposes. 



These animals inhabit woody and mountainous 

 countries, both of Europe and Asia ; and, as some 

 writers have asserted, they are also occasionally 

 met with in North America. In former ages they 

 were very common in many parts of Britain ; but 

 the few that now are left in the island are chiefly 



* Buffon par Sonnini, xx.iv. p. 169. 



confined 



