THE FAWNS. 211 



Amongst the males of the domesticated rein-deer, battles are 

 also of frequent occurrence ; but the conqueror in these cases 

 allows the vanquished to take refuge in the herd. Not so 

 with the Sarakka, for he, like a sensible fellow, will not 

 permit another male, with the exception of the fawns of the 

 year, to remain in the harem. 



The period of gestation with the female is from thirty 

 weeks to eight months. She brings forth in May, or the 

 beginning of June, on bare ground, or on a snow-drift. 

 More generally she has only a single young one, but at times 

 two, and it is on record that she has had as many as three 

 at a time. The fawns are not spotted, as is the case with 

 some others of the deer tribe; but (with the exception of 

 the legs, belly, and throat being somewhat lighter, and that 

 there is a dark streak along the back) they are of a uniform 

 red-brown colour. This, however, soon changes ; and already 

 in the middle of the month of August the back and sides are 

 blackish. In September they are more grey. The fawns, which 

 are weak and slim, as also less high on the leg than other 

 fawns of the deer-tribe, can, after some days, follow the parent 

 wherever she goes. She is an affectionate mother ; and as 

 she does not shed her antlers until some ten days or a fort- 

 night after the birth of her young, she is enabled to defend 

 them against the attacks of the male who at that season is 

 without horns until such time as they can shift for them- 

 selves. She nourishes them at first with her rich and nutri- 

 tious milk ; but they soon learn to seek for such grasses, &c., 

 as nature has appointed for their support. It is asserted that 

 the young males pair during the first autumn that is, when 

 only five months old ! 



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