148 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



daily becoming 1 more scarce; and in many coun- 

 tries, where it once was common, the race is now 

 wholly extinct. 



When about eight or nine months old, their 

 horns begin to appear in the form of two knobs : 

 the first year they are without antlers. They shed 

 their horns in the latter end of autumn, and renew 

 them in the winter; in which they differ from the 

 Stag, whose horns fall off in the spring, and are 

 renewed in summer. 



The life of the Roe-Buck seldom exceeds twelve 

 or fifteen years. 



They are very delicate in the choice of their food, 

 and require a large tract of country, suited to the 

 wildness of their nature, which can never be 

 thoroughly subdued. No arts can teach them to 

 be familiar with their keeper, nor in any degree 

 attached to him. They are easily terrified; and in 

 their attempts to escape, will run with such force 

 against the walls of their inclosure, as sometimes 

 to disable themselves : they are also subject to 

 capricious fits of fierceness; and, on these occa- 

 sions, will strike furiously with their horns and feet 

 at the object of their dislike. 



Some years ago, one of these animals, after being" 

 hunted out of Scotland, through Cumberland, and 

 various parts of the North of England, at last took 

 refuge in the woody recesses bordering upon the 

 banks of the Tyne, between Prudhoe Castle and 

 Wylam. It was repeatedly seen and hunted, but 

 no Dogs were equal to its speed: it frequently 

 crossed the river; and, either by swiftness or artifice, 

 eluded all its pursuers. It happened during the 

 rigour of a severe winter, that, being pursued, it 

 crossed the river upon the ice with some difficulty; 



