IN THE FAR WEST. 285 



during 1 their migrations from one section of the country to 

 another. Some naturalists consider this and the white-tail to 

 be the same species, the difference between them not being- 

 sufficient to entitle them to particular distinction ; hence, the 

 latter is considered to be only a variety of the former, if it is 

 not the same animal changed a little by climate and the 

 character of country it frequents. The difference is so slight 

 certainly, that it would be best to keep them in the same 

 species, for zoology is already rendered too cumbersome by 

 elevating varieties into the dignity of species ; and this causes 

 a confusion whic'i it would seem well to avoid. 



The antlers of both animals are almost alike in form and in 

 the number of prongs or points they display. "VVhcn these are 

 shed the stags retire from the herds and seek the closest 

 thickets, venturing abroad in search of food only at night ; yet 

 in regions where they are little hunted they may be seen 

 browsing during the day. They are very active on moonlight 

 nights in summer, and one may then kill them without much 

 trouble if he will only work cautiously, and move to the wind- 

 ward ; and if on elevated ground he should in all cases work 

 down, not up, as the animals seem somewhat afraid of open 

 ground and the regions below. 



The best time for stalking them is in the morning or even- 

 ing, as they are out feeding- at those times. They may be 

 found on the sunny side of a hill in the morning, and near 

 water in the evening-, as they then go to drink enough to last 

 them for the night. In an open and level country they con- 

 ceal themselves in the coppices skirting streams or lakes during 

 the day, and remain there until near sunset, when they move 

 out to allay their thirst and hunger. When started by hounds, 

 they head for the water at once, by following a well-known 

 and well-worn runway, and if a hunter is posted there he may 

 tumble one over easily with his double-barrel gun loaded with 

 buckshot. 



Another variety of this animal, and probably the smallest 

 of its family in the United States, is found in Arizona. 

 This is designated as C. / irg Inia nus, variety Coiiesii, in honour 

 of Pr. Coues, of the Smithsonian Institution at Washington. 



