38 CONSERVATION OF CANADIAN WILD LIFE 



owing to the settlement of the country, and it is only in 

 regions where there has been insufficient or no protection 

 that its numbers have decreased. In this respect it differs 

 from many of the larger forms of our native wild life, and 

 its tendency to extend its range with the settlement of the 

 country, and to increase in numbers when given adequate 

 protection, are facts of very great economic importance in 

 the development of a "wild" meat supply, to which subject 

 reference has already been made (pp. 8-10). 



The chief distinguishing characteristics of this species are 

 the form of the antlers and tail, and the length of the gland 

 on the outer side of the hind shank. The length of this 

 gland is about one inch long in the white-tail, two inches 

 long in the Columbian black-tail, and three inches long in 

 the mule deer. 



Via. II.— ANTLERS OF THE WHITE-TAILED DEER (1) AND MULE 



DEER (2) 



The antlers of the white-tailed deer, after rising for a 

 short distance from the forehead, bend suddenly forward 

 so that the beam is almost horizontal and the tines rise 

 perpendicularly. The characteristic tail, from which this 

 species derives its name, is long and bushy. The under side 

 is white, and the edges are fringed with the same colour. 

 When it is startled it runs away, carrying its white tail aloft, 

 and this conspicuous appendage sways stiffly from side to 

 side with every leaping movement of its owner. 



