THE FALLOW-DEER. 49 



as large as stags : and in Guiana, a country of South 

 America, the fallow-deer are totally without horns; 

 their flesh is allowed to be excellent eating, but not 

 equal to that which England can produce. This ani- 

 mal comes to maturity in the space of three years, but 

 does not live half the age of the stag* 



THE KOE-BUCK. 



The Roe-buck is the smallest animal of the deer- 

 kind, and with us the breed »is nearly extinct ; but in 

 the Highlands of Scotland they frequently abound. 

 In height it does not measure more than two feet, and 

 in length seldom exceeds three : the horns are from 

 eight to nine inches long, upright, round, and divided 

 into three branches : the body is covered with very 

 long hair, adapted to the rigour of its mountainous 

 abode. The make of this little creature is extremely 

 elegant; and it is equally to be admired for its agility 

 and speed : its hair is smooth, clean, and glossy ; and 

 its courage is superior to that of the stag. The method 

 by which it eludes the hunter's pursuit, proves that it 

 possesses both cunning and art ; for, instead of press- 

 ing forward with rapidity like the stag, it continually 

 returns and makes zig-zag tracts, until the hounds be- 

 come confused by the windings of its path, and are to- 

 tally at a loss which to take. 



The roe-buck differs from the rest of the species in 

 the domestic habits it is led to pursue ; for, instead of 

 assembling in herds together, each resides separately 

 with its young ones and their dam. The constitution 

 of this animal is very delicate, and it requires variety 

 both ;n the air and food ; in consequence of which, 

 those that are confined in a park, do not live near so 

 long as those which run wild. 



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