ORDER RUM1NANTIA. 125 



wards a second antler points backwards, somewhat higher 

 than the first, and forms a fork. 



The Roebuck is extremely graceful, active, and even dar- 

 ing; his eye is fine and full, and his limbs remarkably 

 pliant ; he is cleanly, leaps with great vigour, and resides in 

 preference on elevated ground, not so much in the forest as 

 on its borders, and in coppice ; he leaves a strong scent, 

 and is thus more exposed to the pursuit of dogs ; but his 

 instinct is more fertile in resources, which he employs 

 the moment he is hunted, without previously exhausting his 

 strength in a prolonged course : he begins, after a first 

 dash forward, by doubling over his track, to mislead the 

 hounds, and then, by some great bounds, he springs off* to- 

 wards a cover, where he lies down to let the chase pass. 

 His manners differ likewise from the Stags ; for he remains 

 attached to one female, who produces usually two fawns, 

 one of each sex : these, when grown up, pair off together. 

 The Bucks rut in the beginning of November, when the 

 young of the family are for a time driven off, not to return 

 again until they are full grown. Gestation lasts five 

 months, and the female withdraws into the closest cover to 

 drop her fawns, and re-appears in about twelve days with 

 them in company. If there happen to be danger, she con- 

 ceals them, and then advances to meet it, exposing her- 

 self to attract the attention of the enemy. The Buck mews 

 his horns after the rutting period, and recovers the new 

 during winter. They live from twelve to fifteen years ; but 

 many perish in severe seasons. The venison of adults is 

 not much esteemed, though the brown variety is said to be 

 superior in that respect to the red. 



Roebucks are found over all Europe, and part of Asia. 

 There are now very few in England, but still a sufficient 

 number in Scotland. They are delicate in their food, and 

 pick the buds and small shoots of several kind of trees 



