26 FOEEST CREATURES. 



defiance. But the little pettish action denotes anything 

 but that ; for there is no creature more timid and less 

 inclined to brave danger or a foe. A panic has seized 

 them, and away they bound into the neighbouring- 

 coppice. They were roes. 



Not only are they afraid of man, but, when with other 

 animals, any sudden or rude motion will awake in them 

 a feeling of fear. A fallow-deer coming straight up 

 towards them, or wild boar with his bullying air, will 

 make them at once retreat. When there is nouo-ht to 

 frighten them, nothing can be more pleasing than their 

 gentle expression. There is something so familiar and 

 friendly in it, and the large size of the eye, which is of a 

 bluish colour, gives the countenance life and animation. 

 But despite this air of familiarity, it is in reality, even 

 when tamed, never quite at ease and free from appre- 

 hension for its safety. WTien surprised, then its 

 bewilderment is at its height. Even the natural in- 

 stincts which impel to self-preservation seem to have 

 forsaken it. All presence of mind is lost, and it mil 

 run blindly round, rushing into the very danger it 

 would evade. 



Its timidity causes it to have its ears always up, and 

 moving in all directions, now this way, now another. 

 And this organ is one of its prettiest features, for the 

 ear is pointed, oval, and elegant in shape. It has 

 besides a narrow bordering rim of black hair, which 



