258 THROUGH CANADA 



it has penetrated higher latitudes in numbers. It 

 frequents the districts of East Kootenay, Lillooet, 

 and Chilcotin. It has a summer coat of a pale 

 yellow tint, which grows darker as autumn advances, 

 and ultimately becomes grey. There is a dark horse- 

 shoe marking on the forehead, and the throat is 

 streaked by a black band. The lower portion of the 

 legs are cinnamon. Underneath, as well as on the 

 flanks, the prevalent colour is black, shading into a 

 lighter tint towards the middle, and posteriorly a dull 

 white. The inside marking of the thigh is white. 

 Widening out as it passes over the tail it forms a 

 conspicuous mark on the animal. The ears are 

 disproportionately large for the head, the limbs are 

 excessively strong, and in motion lack the grace of 

 other species of deer. The speed of the animal is 

 determined by the swift bounds it gives — all the four 

 feet leaving the ground and alighting together. Hence, 

 the alternate name of jumping deer given to it by 

 Cree Indians. Its peculiar movement is adapted to 

 the rocky environment where it is found. It also 

 frequents the plains close to well-timbered streams 

 where it browses on the foliage and bark. It was 

 first called the black-tailed deer, owing to its black 

 tip, until the true species of Columbian black-tailed 

 deer was discovered, after which it was called the 

 mule. The species moves about in bands during the 

 winter months, unlike the wapiti choosing an old doe 

 as their leader. The common argument against 



