The Columbia Blacktail 253 



of sight of the trail and swinging in only often 

 enough to be sure I was on it. The blacktail 

 often lies down on points that command a view 

 of the back track as well as a much larger area, 

 but I cannot discover that it is done purposely, 

 and on all its range it is probably safe enough to 

 keep on the track, where you can follow it at all. 



The blacktail is a smaller and more graceful 

 animal than the mule-deer, bearing much the 

 same relation to it that a thoroughbred Jersey 

 bears to a Durham. But this is only when you 

 compare the two side by side in a park. In the 

 woods none but the expert can note the differ- 

 ence, and it will puzzle him if the deer is run- 

 ning. Though its ears are larger than those 

 of the Virginia deer, being nearly seven inches 

 long by six wide on a big buck, or nearly an 

 inch larger each way than the ear of the Vir- 

 ginia, it is in other respects even finer-limbed 

 and neater-looking. Its forehead is broader, 

 and its nose a trifle sharper, with the intervening 

 bridge narrower, making a more expressive face, 

 which is still farther beautified by large bright 

 eyes, that outshine those of the other deer. 



This one varies greatly in size and form, 

 scarcely any two individuals being alike. All 

 that I have seen average decidedly smaller than 

 the eastern deer that I have known. I never 

 weighed one or got figures from any one that 



