294 



The Living Animals of the World 



broken clean off and remained embedded in the skull, firmly wedged between the ears and the 

 antlers. "When wounded and brought to bay by a dog," says Mr. Millais, "a roebuck brings 

 into play both head and fore legs in his defence, using his horns as described, and striking out 

 with his legs, more as if to push off his antagonist than to cause a forcible blow, for he gives 

 no shock, as a hind can. A doe, too, uses her fore legs and boxes with her head ; and 

 Mr. Steel, who has had wide experience in roe-shooting, tells me that he has seen a doe use 

 her hind legs as well. The bark of the buck is loud, sharp, and deep in tone, not unlike what 

 a single call might be from an old collie. At this season, too, the female gives an amorous call 

 when she wishes the male to come to her. If he is within hearing, he puts his neck out 

 straight and comes full speed to her. In Germany many roebucks are shot by alluring them 

 in this manner, and calls exactly imitating her voice are made for the sportsman's use. One 

 who has shot roe in this manner tells me it is most exciting sport, for the buck comes straight 



Photo ly the Duchess of Bedford] 



[ Woburn Abbey. 



PERE DAVID'S DEEK. 

 Nineteen of these deer are at Woburn Abbey ; three are at Berlin. It is believed that these are the only deer of this species in existence. 



for the sound at full speed, and will only stop startled for a second when he discovers the 

 fraud, and as often as not he passes right on without giving a chance." 



Eoe have a curious trick of chasing one another in play, and certain roe-rings in the woods 

 near Cawdor Castle, according to Mr. Millais, demonstrate the fact that for ages the deer have 

 been in the habit of disporting themselves in these strange circles over the same pieces of 

 ground. The fact is very singular. " These curious circles are most used in early summer ; and 

 Sutherland, the head keeper, tells me," says Mr. Millais, " that hardly a morning passes without 

 there being one or two roe playing in the rings, and sometimes there is quite a party of them." 

 Koe feed chiefly on grass ; they will eat also rowan (mountain-ash) berries, of which they are 

 especially fond, as well as turnips, grain, heather tops, and various other roots and plants. 

 Certain fungi, to which they are partial, they take much pains to dig out with their sharp 

 hoofs. "A roebuck that I once kept," says Mr. Millais, "was a good Scotchman, though he 

 had a beastly temper, for he liked nothing so much as oatmeal porridge." Roe make delightful 

 pets, but the bucks are not to be trusted after the third year. One of these animals, supposed 



