WESTERN WILD SPORTS. 173 



Processor Emmons observes, ' It is only a few years since this 

 animal appeared in the northern parts of Vermont and New 

 Hampshire, from which it is not unreasonable to infer, that in 

 earlier times it may have passed still farther south.' Its gi'ega- 

 rious habits, and unsuspicious character, would seem to ensure 

 its speedy destruction, when placed within the range of man." — 

 DeKay's Natural History of New- York. 



THE AMERICAN DEER. 



CERVUS VIRGINIANUS. 



Dama Virginiana ; Ray, Lyn. Quad. p. 86. Cervm Virgini- 

 anus ; Harlan, Fauna Amer. p. 239 ; Godnian, Am. Nat. 

 Hist. vol. ii., p. 306. Mazama Id ; Hamilton Smith, GriffitJi^s 

 Cuv. vol. iv., p. 127, and vol. v. p. 315. Cervus (Mazama) 

 Mexicanus et Claratus ; Hamilton Smith, ih., p. 315. Fallow 

 Deer ; Emjnons, Mass. Reports, 1840, p. 81. 



"Characteristics. — Reddish or bluish gray, according to the 

 season. Young, spotted with white ; horns moderate, curving 

 forward, with the concave part in front, with from one to six 

 points, occasionally palmated. 



"Description. — Headlong and slender; muzzle pointed ; eyes 

 large and lustrous, the lachrymal pits consisting of a slight fold 

 of the skin ; tail moderate, depressed ; legs slender ; a glandu- 

 lar pouch concealed by a thick tuft of rigid hairs inside of the 

 hind legs, odoriferous, and connected with the sexular appetite. 

 The horns of the adult male vary so much in shape, that 

 scarcely any two are alike, appearing to depend upon age, sea- 

 son, and abundance or scarcity of food. In the first season they 

 are simple, cylindrical, and pointed, and in this state they are 

 known as Spike Bucks ; in the following season they have a 

 shon straight antler, and the number increases until the fourth 

 season, when the following is the most usual condition of the 



