CHAPTER VII. 



VIRGINIAN DEER. 



THIS beautiful animal, in size, shape, and coloring so near- 

 ly resembles the fallow deer of English demesnes, that the 

 one might be taken for the other, if it were not for the char- 

 acteristic formation of the horns in each, the former hav- 

 ing the tines pointed forward almost in a perpendicular line 

 above the eye, while the antlers of the latter are palmated. 



Its range is most extensive ; being from Canada West to 

 the Gulf of Mexico, and from the Atlantic sea- board to 

 New Mexico, north of which a different variety takes its 

 place, viz., the black-tailed deer. Although the Virginian 

 deer of late years has greatly decreased in numbers, still 

 they are to be found in tolerable abundance in portions of 

 the country within easy access of several of the largest 

 cities : for instance, in the John Brown's tract, in Eastern 

 New York; in the country no'rth and west of Ottawa, in 

 Upper Canada ; and in the Alleghany Mountains ; but, as a 

 rule, in such situations they are very wild and difficult of 

 access, as they are incessantly harassed by every visitor or 

 resident who owns or can borrow a gun. However, good 

 sport with them can be obtained in many of the Southern 

 and Western States, more especially in Texas, and in the 

 country traversed by the upper waters of the Brazos, Red, 

 and Canadian rivers. If driven into open country, they are 

 easily overtaken and pulled down by a strong greyhound.. 

 Shot or ball are indifferently used in their pursuit, choice 

 in your projectiles being guided by whether the nature of 

 the country is open or wooded. * 



