570 THE GARJACOU, OR VIRGINIAN DEER. 



our own amusement, walking gradually towards him in a circuitous route, until we arrived 

 within a few feet of him. He had now sunk so deep in the water that an inch only of his 

 nose and slight portions of his prongs were seen above the surface. At length we suddenly 

 directed our eyes towards him and raised our hands, when he rushed to the shore, and dashed 

 through the rattling cane-brake in rapid style." 



The same author remarks, that the speed of the Carjacou, when swimming, is very con- 

 siderable, the animal cleaving the water so rapidly that it can hardly be overtaken by a boat. 

 ■As it swims, its whole body is submerged, the head only appearing above the surface. It is 

 not only a swift but a very enduring swimmer, having been often seen crossing broad rivers, 

 and swimming a distance of two miles. When hunted by hounds, the Virginian Deer has 

 been known to baffle its pursuers by making for the sea-shore, taking boldly to the water, and 

 swimming out to sea for a mile or more. 



The male is a most pugnacious animal, and engages in deadly contests with those of his 

 own sex, the prize being generally a herd of does. In these conflicts one of the combatants is 

 not unf requently killed on the spot, and there are many instances of the death of both parties 

 in consequence of the horns interlocking within each other, and so binding the two opponents 

 into a common fate. To find these locked horns is not a very uncommon occurrence, and in 

 one instance three pair of horns were found thus entangled together, the skulls and skeletons 

 lying as proofs of the deadly nature of the strife. 



In those parts of the country where it is unable to visit the plantations, the Carjacou feeds 

 on the young grasses of the plains, being fastidiously select in choosing the tenderest herbage. 

 In winter it finds sustenance on various buds and berries, and in autumn it finds abundant 

 banquets under the oaks, chestnuts, and beeches, revelling upon the fallen fruit in amicable 

 fraternity with other quadrupeds and various birds. This variety of food does not render the 

 animal fat at all times of the year, for excepting in the months of August, September, and 

 October, the Carjacou is in very poor condition. It is then, however, very fat, and the venison 

 is of remarkably fine quality. It is in October, and November that the buck becomes so com- 

 bative, and in a very few weeks he has lost all his sleek condition, shed his horns, and retired 

 to the welcome shelter of the forest. 



The sight of the Carjacou does not seem to be very keen, but its senses of scent and hear- 

 ing are wonderfully acute. The slightest sound, even the snapping of a dry twig, will startle 

 this wary animal, and the sense of smell is so acute that it is able to track its companions 

 solely by means of the scent. It is a thirsty animal, requiring water daily, and generally 

 visiting some stream or spring at nightfall. It is remarkably fond of salt, and resorts in great 

 numbers to the saline springs, or "salt-licks," as they are popularly termed. The Deer do 

 not drink the briny water, but prefer licking the stones at the edge where the salt has crystal- 

 lized from the evaporation of the water. 



When observed, the Carjacou leaps into the air like the bush-buck under similar circum- 

 stances, turning its head in every direction in order to detect the cause of its alarm, and then 

 rushing away at full speed. Before it is accustomed to molestation, it starts from its lair long 

 before the hunter can approach, but when it has frequently been harassed, it lies down, 

 crouching to the ground, and endeavoring to escape the sight of its foe. Whenever it behaves 

 in this manner it is easily outwitted, by riding or walking round the prostrate animal, and 

 gradually lessening the circle, until it is within easy range. 



When captured while young, the Carjacou is easily domesticated, and becomes even 

 troublesome in its confident tameness. A pair of these animals that were kept by Mr. Audu- 

 bon were most mischievous creatures. They would jump into his study window, and when 

 the sashes were shut would leap through glass and woodwork like harlequin in a pantomime. 

 They ate the covers of his books, nibbled his papers, and scattered them in sad confusion, 

 gnawed the carriage-harness, cropped all the choice garden plants, and finally took to biting 

 off the heads and feet of the ducklings and chickens. 



The skin of the Carjacou is peculiarly valuable to the hunter, for when properly dressed 

 and smoked, it becomes as pliable as a kid glove, and does not shrivel or harden when sub- 



