CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME 87 



vided as another explanation for the tail variability in this form, for 

 the reviewer is loath to accept the theory that either Rocky Mountain 

 or Inyo mule deer migrate west in fall to interbreed with California 

 mule deer. It has been his experience that with the possible excep- 

 tion of very rare instances in Plumas, Lassen or Tehama counties, all 

 Rocky Mountain mule deer winter east of tlie Cascade-Sierra crests. 



Sheldon's descriptions of deer are accompanied by drawings of 

 the ears of the various species, their hoofs and metatarsal glands, and 

 the tails of the different species. 



Next the author discusses the antlers of our deer, and among the 

 illustrations there is one of a large set of antlers from a doe. 

 Sheldon admits that the number of points on the antlers does not always 

 indicate the deer's age, but he states that in general this fact is true. 

 We believe that this statement might more properly be restricted to 

 mule deer, for black-tailed deer seem to bear forked horn antlers 

 more often than those with three or four points to the side. In this 

 section, the author presents some X-ray photographs of the lower jaws 

 of deer showing the teeth by which the animal's age can be ascertained 

 with fair accuracy. 



A short section on the glands of deer and one on their mating 

 habits follow. 



Next the author discusses some methods of deer hunting in which 

 he brings out some interesting points in regard to the animal's habits. 

 There follows an excellent section illustrating and describing the 

 methods of skinning a deer and of preserving the head for a trophy. 

 The uses of deer are then discussed and here an excellent method for 

 preparing jerky is described. 



A short section on predatory animals that prey upon deer follows 

 and next a very brief discussion of the parasites that are harbored by 

 deer. 



The next section, entitled "The Pack Trip and How to Throw a 

 Diamond Hitch, ' ' wnll probably be of most interest to campers, for the 

 description and excellent illustrations describe better than we have seen 

 attempted anywhere the method of throwing this excellent pack hitch. 



The volume closes with a list of references to published literature 

 on the various species of deer and predatory animals treated in this 

 work. 



We believe that Sheldon has prepared a most interesting and useful 

 booklet that will be of entertainment and value to all California deer 

 liunters, whom we urge to study it in its original form. — James Moffitt, 

 Division of Fish and Game, San Francisco, December 29, 1933. 



GRINNELL'S REVIEW OF CALIFORNIA MAMMAL FAUNA 



A publication entitled, "Review of the Recent Mammal Fauna of 

 California," * by Professor Joseph Grinnell, Director of the University 

 of California Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, was issued September 26. 

 1933. This paper consists of a short inti-oduetion and an account of 

 all the mammalian species and subspecies known to occur, or to have 

 occurred within the confines of this State up to the time of publication. 



* Univ. Calif. Publ. Zool., Vol. 40, pp. 71-2.'].''), September 26, 1933. Copies may 

 be purchased from the University Press, Berkeley, Calif. Price $1.25. 



