RUSSELL] THE VIRGINIA DEER 375 



creature leading a happier, more carefree life, than otir wild deer 

 of the present time. 



After generations of persecution and terror, reduced to lonely 

 individuals hiding afraid in distant forests, chased by dogs and 

 shot at by man, fearful of greeting one of their own kind even, lest 

 it prove an enemy in disguise, they are allowed once more to enjoy 

 the land in safety. They may now call to each other in the twilight 

 without fear of betra^-ing themselves to the hunter and roam the 

 country over in families or alone as suits each one the best. 



What does it m-atter to them, that in certain countries, they may 

 be hunted for a few weeks each year. Who would not be willing 

 to be shot at occasionally during so short a period, with the chances 

 in favor each time of getting away untouched, if in return he could 

 enjoy such splendid freedom thruout the rest of the year? They 

 now have probably fewer natural foes to contend with than almost 

 any other creature. 



The Virginia deer is a comparatively small animal, about the 

 size of the fallow deer, altho the bucks are heavier. Its length is 

 probably six feet while the height at the shoulder is a trifle over 

 three feet and the length of the antler 20 to 24 inches. The color 

 is very beautiful. A bright chestnut above in summer, with a 

 black band on the chin; the throat, underparts and inside of legs 

 white. The tail, which is ver>" long for a deer, is brownish above 

 and white tmdemeath When startled or alarmed, the animal 

 has a curious habit of waving this member back and forth as a flag. 

 In winter the upper parts of tne animal are yellowish gray with 

 white about the eye. This is true kahki color as is shown by the 

 number of hunters in kahki coats who are shot by mistake each 

 year during the hunting season. The ears are long and delicately 

 made, the eyes are large, dark and beautifully soft in expression. 



The horns or antlers are what serve principally in distinguishing 

 the deer. These magnificent weapons of offense and defense, with 

 which the male deer are as a rule provided during part of the year, 

 are perhaps the most striking feature of the animal. The antlers 

 come outward and then upward, the tips curving in toward one 

 another. There is a short upward spike near the base beyond which 

 the beam gives off two upright branches, making three nearly 

 equal prongs. At no point does the antler branch dichotomously. 

 These are shed and renewed each year. The so called "spike 

 horns" or antlers without any branches belong to an animal about 



