392 



UNGULATES. 



of December. The fawns, which are nearly always two in number, are mostly born 

 in May. They retain their white spots till September, when both young and old 

 assume their winter dress. The fawns are easily tamed, if captured sufficiently 

 young. In bucks of the first year the antlers form unbranched spikes, while in 

 the second year they are simply forked, without any branching of the two prongs, 

 although the sub-basal snag makes its appearance at the same time. 



VIRGINIAN DEER SWIMMING. 



Hunting. 



The most legitimate mode of hunting the Virginian deer is by 

 stalking, but in the south they are frequently pursued by hounds, 

 followed by mounted hunters armed with rifles. In other cases hounds are em- 

 ployed to drive the deer to water or down the paths in the woods, where the 

 sportsmen lie in wait. In summer, when deer are abundant, many are killed by 

 what is termed "jacking"; that is to say, a lantern or some other light is carried, 

 upon seeing which the deer becomes dazzled, and, while standing to gaze, offers a 

 ready shot. Finally, "breasting" is employed, according to Mr. G. B. Grinnell, 

 " where the deer make their home among very high grass, such as is to be found 

 on some of the prairies of the south-west or in the great beds of the dry lakes of 

 Northern and Western Nebraska. Here the thick cane-grass stands seven or eight 



