AMERICAN DEER. 89 



quills, which, when pressed, either break off short or 

 remain in a bent position. The tail, which is very 

 full, is white underneath ; the point of the chin and 

 the sides of the muzzle are also white. 



The hind has one fawn, and occasionally two, at a 

 birth, generally late in the spring. During the earlier 

 months of their existence the young are marked with 

 white spots, which, however, gradually disappear as 

 they attain maturity. 



The flesh of the Deer, when in season, is tender and 

 well-flavoured, but generally rather lean, though it fre- 

 quently happens that it is condemned on that score very 

 unjustly, owing to its having been killed at an improper 

 time. A hart at certain seasons is quite unfit for food, 

 and for several weeks afterwards does not entirely regain 

 its normal condition, while a hind that has a calf never 

 has any fat whatever; yet both are constantly killed at 

 these times by traders and Indians, and sent into the 

 market in a state of course inferior to the poorest mutton. 



The Deer is common in Upper Canada, though less 

 abundant in the western portion of the Lower Province, 

 and below Quebec is unknown on the northern shore of 

 the St. Lawrence. At the present time it is plentiful in 

 the Upper Ottawa country; to the north of Lake Simco; 

 and in most of the unfrequented districts or uncut and 

 remote forests in Canada West. In many of the more 



