HAU^■TS OF THE DEER. 91 



to her offspring, and its bleat will bring her to its side 

 if she is within hearing. Taking advantage of this 

 natural affection, the Indian hunters imitate the fawn's 

 cry with a pipe made of reed, and as soon as the un- 

 suspecting mother approaches she falls a victim to their 

 arrows. 



The red deer of America is a gregarious animal, 

 being found on the western prairies in scattered herds 

 of thousands. It is only during the rutting season, 

 however, that males and females are found together. 

 \yhen that has past, the bucks seem wearied with 

 constant battles, and once more congregate peacefully 

 with each other. 



The localities which the deer selects as places of 

 rest and concealment are varied, and in accordance 

 with the nature of the country and climate. In the 

 hilly regions of Virginia, deer have been seen lying 

 on the ledge of a bare rock, without any attempt at 

 concealment ; but, more generally, they crouch either 

 in clumps of myrtle or laurel- bushes, in fallen tree- 

 tops or briar-patches, or in tall broom-grass {Andro- 

 'pogon dissitiflorus). In winter it seeks a sheltered 

 situation, protected from the wind. In warm weather 

 it resorts to shady swamps by the side of a brook, or 

 rivulet. 



Its food also varies at different periods of the year. 

 In winter it feeds on the buds of various shrubs, 

 such as the hawthorn and wild-rose, on brambles. 



